Pathophysiology of oxaliplatin-induced nerve dysfunction and neuropathy

Funded Activity Summary

When treating patients diagnosed with cancer, nerve dysfunction is a common complication of chemotherapy, particularly with oxaliplatin. Neurological symptoms develop in up to 90% of patients following oxaliplatin treatment. Neurotoxicity is a key factor in determining the dosage and frequency of current chemotherapeutic agants. Oxaliplatin therapy results in disabling neurological effects. Onset of neuropathy can be relatively fast or in other cases may develop months after therapy has been completed. The other chief problems encountered during chemotherapy can be overcome: nausea and vomiting can be treated; myelosuppression can be reversed. End organ toxicity such as neuropathy cannot be controlled. Despite the high incidence of neuropathy due to chemotherapy, the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood, particularly with newer therapies. The aim of the present study is to measure nerve function in oncology patients treated with oxaliplatin using a novel protocol, attempting ultimately to identify aspects of dysfunction that correlate with clinical abnormalities, so helping to pin-point the mechanisms responsible for neuropathy. Once identified, management strategies can be developed to better target the prevention and treatment of neuropathy in oncology patients treated with chemotherapy.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2006

End Date: 01-01-2008

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $281,255.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Oncology and Carcinogenesis

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

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Other Keywords

cancer | cancer chemotherapy | ion channels | neurotoxicity | oncology | peripheral neuropathy

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