Vincristine-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy can be classified based on the type of chemotherapy drug into: taxane-induced, platinum-based, and vinca alkaloid-induced peripheral neuropathies. Vinca alkaloids, such as vincristine, mainly induce remodeling of the synaptic structures in the spinal cord dorsal horn and changes in the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases.

1. Experimental Design

2. Behavioral Test: Von Frey

n=10 mice/group, all data represent as MEAN ± SEM, *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, ****P<0.0001, Two-way ANOVA

The mechanical pain threshold measured by Von Frey stimuli significantly decreases in both male and female mice after vincristine injection.

3. Diagnostic blood biomarkers: Neurofilament light (NFL)

n=3-6 mice/group, all data represent as MEAN ± SEM, *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, ****P<0.0001,Two-way ANOVA

The plasma levels of neurofilament light chain (NFL) in both male and female mice significantly increase after vincristine injection.

4. Skin Biopsy: IENF (intraepidermal nerve fiber)

n=5 mice/group, all data represent as MEAN ± SEM, *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, ****P<0.0001, T-Test

The density of intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENF) in the skin decreases in vincristine-induced neuropathic mice.

5. Molecular: TNFα expression in Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) 

n=5 mice/group, all data represent as MEAN ± SEM, *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, ****P<0.0001, T-Test

The expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα in the dorsal root ganglia increases in vincristine-induced neuropathic mice.