Abstract 2962: Chemotherapy-Induced Senescence Drives Peripheral Neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant side effect of cancer treatment, affecting over 30% of patients even after chemotherapy ends, with drugs like paclitaxel causing CIPN in 61-92% of cases. This study found that chemotherapy triggers cellular senescence, contributing to CIPN. Using a mouse model to eliminate senescent cells, researchers successfully prevented CIPN. Senolytic drugs and inhibitors of the p38MAPK pathway also effectively prevented and reversed CIPN in mice. Single cell RNA sequencing is being used to identify the specific cell populations involved, potentially leading to new treatments for CIPN.