Protecting Nerves During Vincristine Cancer Treatment
Targeting neuronal transport to ameliorate vincristine neurotoxicity
This research looks for ways to protect patients from nerve damage caused by the common cancer medication vincristine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115757 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Vincristine is a widely used chemotherapy drug for many cancers, but it often causes painful nerve damage called peripheral neurotoxicity, for which there are no current preventative treatments. This project discovered that a specific transporter, OATP1B2/3, helps vincristine enter nerve cells, leading to this damage. Researchers found that blocking this transporter in mice protected them from nerve damage without affecting the drug's ability to fight cancer. This work will further explore how to block this transporter using existing medications to prevent vincristine's debilitating side effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients receiving vincristine for various cancers, including solid tumors and leukemias, who are at risk of nerve damage, are the focus of this research.
Not a fit: Patients not receiving vincristine or those who have already developed severe nerve damage may not directly benefit from this preventative approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent painful nerve damage for patients receiving vincristine chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: This approach builds on recent discoveries identifying a specific transporter for vincristine in nerve cells, with initial success in animal models using known inhibitors.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Shuiying — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Hu, Shuiying
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.