Reducing cisplatin-related nerve damage and thinking problems
Targeting p38/JNK MAPK to ameliorate cisplatin-induced adverse sequelae on the nervous system
This research tests whether blocking two stress-response proteins (p38 and JNK) can protect nerves and thinking in people treated with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11210536 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may benefit if your memory, balance, or nerves were hurt by cisplatin chemotherapy, because researchers aim to stop the cell-damaging signals that lead to nerve cell death. The team uses laboratory models and animal tests and is working with small-molecule drugs (like neflamapimod and a JNK inhibitor) that blocked damage to nerve cells in early experiments. They will measure effects on thinking, gait, and nerve pain to see if blocking these pathways preserves function. Positive lab and animal results would support moving this approach toward future human testing and possible treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who are receiving or have received cisplatin chemotherapy and who are experiencing or are at high risk for chemo-related cognitive issues, neuropathy, or gait problems.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms are unrelated to cisplatin (for example from diabetes or other causes), those not exposed to cisplatin, or those with long-standing irreversible nerve damage may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce chemotherapy-related cognitive problems, peripheral neuropathy, and gait/fall risk after cisplatin treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical lab and early animal work by this team and others show p38 and JNK inhibitors can prevent nerve-cell damage, but clinical evidence in people is currently limited.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bota, Daniela Annenelie — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Bota, Daniela Annenelie
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.