Exploration of novel pathophysiology of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy utilizing quantitative sensory testing and accelerometer

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K17623
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Kobe Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: Ohga Satoshi 神戸学院大学, 総合リハビリテーション学部, 助教 (50882437)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 化学療法誘発性末梢神経障害 / 疼痛 / 定量的感覚検査 / 末梢感作 / 中枢感作 / 内因性疼痛抑制機能不全

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to examine the pathogenesis of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) using quantitative sensory testing (QST) and to compare CIPN cases with age-matched controls. The QST results showed that CIPN patients had a lower pressure pain threshold (PPT), facilitated temporal summation of pain (TSP) at the forearm near the painful area, and reduced conditioned pain modulation (CPM) compared to the control group. The questionnaire evaluation also revealed that CIPN patient decreased pain self-efficacy and experienced impairment in activities of daily living (ADL). Despite the small number of patients, likely due to the constraints imposed by the pandemic, findings suggest that both peripheral and central sensitization, along with endogenous pain inhibitory dysfunction, may contribute to the pathogenesis of CIPN and consequently lead to decreased pain self-efficacy and ADL impairment.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

CIPNの病態は動物を対象とした基礎研究を中心に解明が進められつつあるが，がん患者におけるCIPNの病態は依然として明らかにされていない．本研究ではコロナ禍の影響にて症例数は少なかったが，CIPNの神経学的病態に末梢・中枢感作に加えて，内因性疼痛抑制機能不全が関与するという結果は学術的意義を有するものであると考える．また，そのような基礎研究の現況からCIPNに対する有効な理学療法学的介入戦略も確立されていないため，本研究結果は有効な治療戦略開発の一助となる可能性があり，その観点から社会的意義を有するものであると考える．