The new alliance will focus on identifying neurobiological differences between cancer patients who develop chemotherapy-induced pain and patients who experience little or no pain. Scientists at M D Anderson and AstraZeneca hope to better understand the mechanisms through which chemotherapies cause peripheral nerve dysfunctions, such as numbness and tingling, and severe pain. Research could lead to new treatments to prevent pain, extending the therapeutic value of current chemotherapies, as well as help in the development of new chemotherapies with less severe pain-related side effects.
M D Anderson and AstraZeneca have ongoing collaborations focused on a variety of initiatives across a range of AstraZeneca oncology products and research projects. This new agreement will extend that relationship to examine one of the most prevalent symptoms in cancer patients. One study found that pain affects up to 50% of patients undergoing active cancer treatment and up to 90% of those with advanced disease.