Extracellular Vesicles and Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico

About this trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the blood can be used as biomarkers to predict chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with taxanes, platinum compounds, or antimitotic drugs. The main questions the study aims to answer are whether blood levels of EVs change in patients who develop CIPN during and after chemotherapy and whether specific features of EVs, including lipids and microRNAs, are associated with the development and severity of CIPN. Participants will be followed from before the start of chemotherapy until six months after treatment ends to evaluate how changes in EVs relate to nerve damage caused by chemotherapy. During the study, participants will provide blood samples before chemotherapy, at the end of treatment, and six months later for measurement and molecular analysis of EVs, will complete questionnaires about neuropathy symptoms, and will undergo simple, non-invasive nerve function tests using a tuning fork (diapason) and a Neuropen device. This study does not test cancer drugs; instead, it aims to identify biological markers in blood that may help predict which patients are at higher risk of developing CIPN, with the goal of improving monitoring and care during cancer treatment.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Has signed the informed consent form

Is 18 years of age or older

Is male or female

Has breast cancer and is scheduled to receive paclitaxel, docetaxel, eribulin, capecitabine, or carboplatin as part of standard care

Disqualifiers

Has already been diagnosed with CIPN

Has a neurodegenerative disease

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • CIPN assessment
  • EV blood analysis

Treatment groups

120 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groups