Background & Aims
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect affecting 30-40% of breast cancer patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy. The symptoms are intense, forcing oncologists to lower dosages or even to completely abandon the treatment plan. Recent studies have shown that different cannabinoids could improve CIPN symptoms, however, the literature is sparse. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the analgesic properties of synthetic cannabinoid JWH-182 and phytocannabinoids NC1 and NC2 (Cannabixir®) when administered concomitantly with paclitaxel in a breast cancer murine model.
Methods
Healthy BALB/c female mice underwent baseline pain thresholds using the Hot Plate test. Soon after, breast orthotopic xenografts were induced using the 4T1 cell line. When the tumor was palpable, a combination of each cannabinoid and 2 mg/kgc paclitaxel for four days was administered, furthered by two weeks of the cannabinoid every other day. Controls received paclitaxel and saline. At the end of the treatment, pain levels were reassessed using Hot Plate, and pain latency for the intervention and control groups was determined.
Results
Cannabinoids improve pain latency in breast cancer neuropathic pain murine models. Our study shows that NC1 and NC2 (Cannabixir®) conducted to 68% and, respectively, 35% decrease in pain threshold as compared to controls, suggesting neuropathic pain analgesia. On the other hand, synthetic cannabinoid JWH-182 decreased pain by only 6% as compared to controls. Moreover, we did not observe any significant side effects, most notably, 35% of mice treated with NC1 presented mild sedation after administration.
Conclusions
Our findings highlight that all cannabinoids could have an analgetic effect on CIPN. Translating cannabinoids into the clinic is a challenge, but identifying innovative approaches for treating CIPN holds the promise of improving the quality of life of cancer survivors.
References
1. Burgess J, Ferdousi M, Gosal D, Boon C, Matsumoto K, Marshall A, Mak T, Marshall A, Frank B, Malik RA, Alam U. Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Epidemiology, Pathomechanisms and Treatment. Oncol Ther. 2021 Dec;9(2):385-450. doi: 10.1007/s40487-021-00168-y. Epub 2021 Oct 16. PMID: 34655433; PMCID: PMC8593126.
2. Cavaletti G, Marmiroli P, Renn CL, Dorsey SG, Serra MP, Quartu M, Meregalli C. Cannabinoids: an Effective Treatment for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity? Neurotherapeutics. 2021 Oct;18(4):2324-2336. doi: 10.1007/s13311-021-01127-1. Epub 2021 Oct 19. PMID: 34668147; PMCID: PMC8804126.
Presenting Author
Ioana Creanga-Murariu
Poster Authors
Ioana Creanga-Murariu
Dr
Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX)
Lead Author
Leontina-Elena Filipiuc
Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX); Iasi, Romania
Lead Author
Raluca-Maria Gogu
Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX); Iasi, Romania
Lead Author
Andrei Szilagy
Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX); Iasi, Romania
Lead Author
Gabriela-Dumitrita Stanciu
Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX); Iasi, Romania
Lead Author
Teodora Alexa-Stratulat
Regional Institute of Oncology, Iasi, Romania
Lead Author
Daniela Ababei
Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX); Iasi, Romania
Lead Author
Veronica Bild
Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX); Iasi, Romania
Lead Author
Bogdan-Ionel Tamba
Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX); Iasi
Lead Author
Topics
- Treatment/Management: Cannabinoids and Cannabis