Colorectal cancer may quietly damage nerves prior to chemotherapy

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that colorectal cancer may damage peripheral nerves before chemotherapy even starts. In preclinical studies, tumors were found to cause peripheral nerve damage through inflammation and changes in fat metabolism. This suggests that nerve damage could be present before the onset of chemotherapy, potentially making nerves more susceptible to treatment-induced peripheral neuropathy.

The study, published in Nature Communications, challenges the notion that peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer patients is primarily caused by chemotherapy. Instead, it indicates that much of the nerve damage may already be a result of the cancer itself. Andrew Shepherd, the study's lead researcher, stated that this nerve damage is largely latent and could significantly impact the quality of life of survivors, even without noticeable pain symptoms.

Peripheral neuropathy can lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, balance issues, weakness, and reduced sensitivity to touch or temperature. The researchers aimed to understand if cancer-related nerve changes could be identified before treatment to mitigate the risk of patients developing chronic pain. While the findings in preclinical models were consistent, the study did not include human samples or patient outcomes.

Further research is needed to determine if similar neuropathy occurs across different colorectal cancer subtypes and to examine nerve function in patients before, during, and after chemotherapy.