Oncode Investigator Mario van der Stelt and his lab discovered a new potential drug that suppresses chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain. The results are published in Nature Communications.
Neuropathic pain is a common side effect of chemotherapy and one of the major reasons for discontinuation of the treatment. LEI-515 is a substance that stops the breakdown of a natural compound in our bodies that's similar to a component found in marijuana (2-arachidonoylglycerol).
LEI-515 reduced the neuropathic pain caused by a chemotherapeutic drug called paclitaxel in a mouse model. Unlike some medications or substances, LEI-515 doesn't cause behavioral changes (psychoactive effects) or lead to physical dependence in mice.
New pain-relief drugs
This study provides a basis for creating new pain-relief drugs (analgesics) with fewer side effects for cancer patients.
'Cancer patients that suffer from chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain are in dire need for effective medication without side effects'
Mirjam Huizenga, first author of the paper, explains: 'Cancer patients that suffer from chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain are in dire need for effective medication without side effects and our study provides promising results towards that goal.'
The whole article can be read in Nature Communications.
Photo: Unsplash
