ABSTRACT

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is relatively common following the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs such as vinca alkaloids, taxanes, platinum-derived compounds, and thalidomide. It is also seen in patients receiving newer and more effective anticancer drugs, such as epothilones, bortezomib, and nano-albumin-bounded paclitaxel (Argyriou et al., 2007a, 2007b; Cata et al., 2007; Lee et al., 2006; Roy et al., 2009). Factors that could affect the incidence of CIPN include the type of drugs, dosages, duration of usage, and the pattern of administration (Augusto et al., 2008; Chaudhry et al., 2008; Nurgalieva et al., 2009; Richardson et al., 2006). Different animal models have been explored to mimic symptoms of CIPN in patients and provide a basis for investigation of the pathological processes of CIPN (Authier et al., 2009). This chapter will review progress in preclinical studies of the mechanisms underlying CIPN that may result in new therapeutic strategies for the treatment or prevention of CIPN.