Oncode Investigator Mario van der Stelt (Leiden University) and his lab discovered a new potential drug (compound name: LEI-515) that suppresses chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain. The results were published today 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 behavioural changes (psychoactive effects) or lead to physical dependence in mice.
This study provides a basis for creating new pain-relief drugs (analgesics) with fewer side effects for cancer patients.
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.’’