SP16 to prevent chemotherapy-related nerve damage
Official title: A Novel LRP1 Agonist, SP16, as a Therapeutic Treatment in Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Funded at Serpin Pharma, LLC · NIH-11193543 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tries to prevent or reduce nerve pain and lasting nerve damage from taxane chemotherapy using a new drug called SP16 that activates the LRP1 receptor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Serpin Pharma, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manassas, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $625,359 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA268700-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193543 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are cancer patients about to receive taxane-based chemotherapy who do not already have severe, permanent neuropathy.
✕Less likely to help
People not receiving taxane chemotherapy or those with long-standing, irreversible neuropathy are unlikely to benefit from this preventive approach.
What this research studies
If you're getting taxane chemotherapy, this program is developing SP16, a first-in-class anti-inflammatory drug that activates LRP1 to reduce harmful inflammation and support nerve repair. Early phase 1 human studies and laboratory models showed SP16 can reduce sensory neuropathy and support nerve regeneration after injury. The work includes further drug development and clinical testing to refine dosing, safety, and whether SP16 prevents chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Participation would likely involve clinic visits for treatment, monitoring, and symptom assessments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, SP16 could lower the chance of developing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, reduce chronic pain, and help people complete full cancer treatment with better quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Phase 1 human data and translational (animal and lab) models have shown promising analgesic and regenerative effects for SP16, but larger clinical trials are still required.
Where this research is happening
-
Serpin Pharma, LLC
Manassas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gelber, Cohava — Serpin Pharma, LLC
- Study coordinator: Gelber, Cohava
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Non-invasive, microscopic biomarkers to detect CIPN in chemotherapy patients
This grant aims to develop a non-invasive imaging method to measure nerve changes in patients undergoing chemotherapy to better understand and monitor chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
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Longitudinal study of how body-sense relates to chemotherapy nerve damage
This study follows people with breast or gastrointestinal cancer and healthy controls to see if brain processing of body sensations contributes to chemotherapy-induced nerve damage.
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A new screen for chemotherapy-related nerve problems in young children
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How the immune system’s CD4+ T cells in women might prevent chemotherapy-related nerve pain
A study in mice explores whether female immune cells in nerve tissue can lessen pain from chemotherapy, with potential implications for preventing CIPN in women.
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Axonal transport and chemotherapy-related nerve pain
This grant studies why certain cancer patients develop painful nerve damage from chemotherapy and explores ways to prevent or treat it.
-
Remote monitoring and nurse follow-up to manage chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
A program uses symptom reporting tools with nurse follow-up to reduce and better manage chemotherapy-induced neuropathy for cancer survivors, during and after treatment.
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.