Broad-spectrum neuroprotection exerted by DDD-028 in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy

Neuropathic Pain: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends, Contributions, and Future Directions

BACKGROUND

Neuropathic pain represents a significant public health concern due to its complex pathophysiology and the disability it can cause. Despite advancements in understanding its underlying mechanisms and potential treatments, challenges persist in achieving effective management. This bibliometric analysis aims to offer a comprehensive overview of research trends, key contributors, and existing gaps in the literature on neuropathic pain, providing valuable insights to guide future studies and enhance clinical approaches.

METHODS

A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Key metrics, including publication trends, citation patterns, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence, were evaluated. Statistical analyses included average annual percentage change (APC) assessments and trend forecasting with an Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model.

RESULTS

A total of 9,974 studies published between 2005 and 2024 were included. Publications peaked between 2021 and 2022 but showed a slight decline thereafter, with forecasts predicting a steady increase from 2025 to 2030. Most papers were published in high-impact Q1 journals, reflecting the quality of research. Co-authorship analysis revealed central hubs of collaboration in the USA and China, with limited integration of smaller countries into the global research network. Keyword analysis identified multiple thematic clusters, including "chronic pain," "molecular mechanisms," and "clinical management." Specific gaps were noted in understanding personalized therapeutic approaches, and non-pharmacological interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis underscores the critical need for continued research to address gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and management of neuropathic pain. Strengthening international collaborations and fostering multidisciplinary efforts will be pivotal in advancing this field.

Neurofilament light chain as a biomarker of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of chemotherapy. The frequency of CIPN ranges from one in three to almost all patients depending on type of chemotherapy and dose. It causes symptoms that can range from sensitivity to touch and numbness to neuropathic pain in hands and feet. CIPN is notoriously difficult to grade objectively and has mostly relied on a clinician- or patient-based rating that is subjective and poorly reproducible. Thus, considerable effort has been aimed at identifying objective biomarkers of CIPN. Recent in vitro, animal, and clinical studies suggest that neurofilament light chain (NFL), a structural neuronal protein, may be an objective biomarker of CIPN. NFL released from cells to cell culture media reflects in vitro neurotoxicity, while NFL in serum reflects neuronal damage caused by chemotherapy in rodent models. Finally, NFL in serum may be a diagnostic biomarker of CIPN, but its prognostic ability to predict CIPN requires prospective evaluation. We discuss current limitations and future perspectives on the use of NFL as a preclinical and clinical biomarker of CIPN.

Exploring Serum Biomarkers for Neuropathic Pain in Rat Models of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Comparative Pilot Study with Oxaliplatin, Paclitaxel, Bortezomib, and Vincristine

Blood biomarkers, including neurofilament light chain (NfL), have garnered attention as potential indicators for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a dose-limiting adverse effect of neurotoxic anticancer drugs. However, no blood biomarker has been established for routine application or translational research. This pilot study aimed to evaluate a limited panel of blood biomarkers in rat models of CIPN and their correlations with neuropathic pain. CIPN models were induced through repeated injections of oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, bortezomib, and vincristine. Electronic von Frey testing was used to assess tactile allodynia. Post anticancer injections, serum concentrations of 31 proteins were measured. Allodynia thresholds decreased in anticancer-treated animals compared to controls. No consistent modifications were observed in the biomarkers across CIPN models. The most noteworthy biomarkers with increased concentrations in at least two CIPN models were NfL (paclitaxel, vincristine), MCP-1, and RANTES (oxaliplatin, vincristine). Vincristine-treated animals exhibited strong correlations between LIX, MCP-1, NfL, and VEGF concentrations and tactile allodynia thresholds. No single biomarker can be recommended as a unique indicator of CIPN-related pain. Because of the study limitations (single dose of each anticancer drug, young animals, and single time measurement of biomarkers), further investigations are necessary to define the kinetics, specificities, and sensitivities of MCP-1, RANTES, and NfL.

Neurofilament light chain in plasma as a sensitive diagnostic biomarker of peripheral neurotoxicity: In Vivo mouse studies with oxaliplatin and paclitaxel - NeuroDeRisk project

Identifying compounds that are neurotoxic either toward the central or the peripheral nervous systems (CNS or PNS) would greatly benefit early stages of drug development by derisking liabilities and selecting safe compounds. Unfortunately, so far assays mostly rely on histopathology findings often identified after repeated-dose toxicity studies in animals. The European NeuroDeRisk project aimed to provide comprehensive tools to identify compounds likely inducing neurotoxicity. As part of this project, the present work aimed to identify diagnostic non-invasive biomarkers of PNS toxicity in mice. We used two neurotoxic drugs in vivo to correlate functional, histopathological and biological findings. CD1 male mice received repeated injections of oxaliplatin or paclitaxel followed by an assessment of drug exposure in CNS/PNS tissues. Functional signs of PNS toxicity were assessed using electronic von Frey and cold paw immersion tests (oxaliplatin), and functional observational battery, rotarod and cold plate tests (paclitaxel). Plasma concentrations of neurofilament light chain (NF-L) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) were measured, and histopathological evaluations were performed on a comprehensive list of CNS and PNS tissues. Functional PNS toxicity was observed only in oxaliplatin-treated mice. Histopathological findings were observed dose-dependently only in paclitaxel groups. While no changes of VEGF-A concentrations was recorded, NF-L concentrations were increased only in paclitaxel-treated animals as early as 7 days after the onset of drug administration. These results show that plasma NF-L changes correlated with microscopic changes in the PNS, thus strongly suggesting that NF-L could be a sensitive and specific biomarker of PNS toxicity in mice.

DDD-028: A potent, neuroprotective, non-opioid compound for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a painful, chronic ailment that affects a large segment of diabetic population worldwide. Current medications such as pregabalin or duloxetine treat only the pain symptom associated with DN, but not the underlying nerve damage. DDD-028 (1) is a small molecule that displays potent pain-relieving activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rodent model of DN. Combined with other studies indicating that DDD-028 suppresses astrogliosis and nerve damage induced by the anti-cancer drug, paclitaxel, the present study suggests that DDD-028 would be useful as a disease modifying therapeutic in the treatment of DN. The 3-dimensional structure of DDD-028 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography.