Papers of the Week

Paclitaxel induces peripheral neuropathy, which is considered a dose-limiting factor. However, appropriate prophylactic agents are currently unavailable. We investigated the prophylactic effects of calmangafodipir, a superoxide dismutase mimetic, on paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy using a male rat model. Repeated administration of paclitaxel (6 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, once weekly for 4 weeks) resulted in mechanical allodynia in the von Frey test and axonal degeneration in the sciatic nerve. Conversely, calmangafodipir (1-10 mg/kg, intravenous, thrice weekly for 4 weeks) prevented mechanical allodynia and axonal degeneration induced by paclitaxel. These results suggest that calmangafodipir may inhibit paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy.