Psilocybin Prevents Chemotherapy-Related Peripheral Neuropathy in Mice
A study found that psilocybin given before chemotherapy prevented the onset of nerve injury in mouse models, even after repeated treatment cycles, and also protected tumor-bearing mice from neuropathy, without impairing antitumor efficacy. The post Psilocybin Prevents Chemotherapy-Related Peripheral Neuropathy in Mice appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News .
Peripheral neuropathy, a side effect of chemotherapy that can cause numbness, painful nerve injury and sensitivity, is a significant issue for patients undergoing treatment. A study led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has found that two doses of psilocybin, given before chemotherapy, can prevent peripheral neuropathy in mice models.
This positive effect was observed across multiple treatment cycles, while preserving both nerve function and the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy on tumors.
The study, co-led by Moran Amit, MD, PhD, and Patrick Dougherty, PhD, discovered a neuroprotective role of serotonin receptors, specifically serotonin 2A receptors, in preventing CIPN. Psilocybin activates these receptors, which are linked to neuronal plasticity and mitochondrial regulation, and might protect the sensory nervous system from chemotherapy-induced injury. The findings, published in Science, suggest psilocybin as a potential first-in-class intervention for CIPN prevention.
CIPN is a common complication of platinum-based chemotherapies like cisplatin, affecting up to 60% of patients. Some patients experience persistent symptoms that can impact their balance, mobility and overall quality of life. Existing nerve injury treatments are often irreversible, and current preventive strategies are limited.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and distal axonal degeneration in peripheral sensory pathways are associated with CIPN. Psilocybin directly affects the peripheral nervous system through serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, preserving mitochondrial trafficking and energy levels at nerve endings. Blocking the 5-HT2A pathway reversed these neuroprotective effects, and using a non-hallucinogenic compound that activates the same receptors produced similar protection.
These preclinical findings could lead to an upcoming Phase II clinical trial (NeuroGuard, NCT07227909) to examine psilocybin during chemotherapy in patients with multiple cancer types. The study also highlights the potential of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treating anxiety and depression in cancer patients, as part of UT MD Anderson's Cancer Neuroscience Program.
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