Spinal cord stimulation for nerve pain from chemotherapy and better cancer treatment
Official title: Spinal cord stimulation for the attenuation of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and enhanced chemotherapeutic efficacy
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11098559 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how spinal cord stimulation might reduce nerve pain caused by chemotherapy and improve the effectiveness of cancer drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $282,426 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA255428-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11098559 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients experiencing or at risk of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, particularly those with non-small cell lung carcinoma, might be ideal candidates for future related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing chemotherapy or those without chemotherapy-induced nerve pain would likely not receive direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many people undergoing chemotherapy experience debilitating nerve pain, known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which can feel like burning or tingling in the hands and feet. This project looks into whether spinal cord stimulation, a treatment often used for other types of nerve pain, could help prevent or lessen this pain. Researchers are also exploring if this stimulation could make chemotherapy more effective against cancer. The work will examine the body's immune and nervous system responses to understand how spinal cord stimulation might achieve these effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to manage severe nerve pain from chemotherapy and potentially enhance the power of cancer treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Spinal cord stimulation is an established treatment for other types of chronic nerve pain, but its specific utility for chemotherapy-induced pain and enhancing chemotherapy is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sivanesan, Eellan — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Sivanesan, Eellan
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
A clinician-scientist at Yale is developing a child-friendly survey to quickly screen for nerve-related side effects from cancer treatment in kids from birth to age 5.
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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.
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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.