Possible involvement of the Sigma-1 receptor chaperone in chemotherapeutic-induced neuropathic pain.

Previous studies have shown that ligands of the sigma-1 receptor chaperone (Sig-1R) regulate pain-related behaviors. Clinical use of chemotherapeutics is often compromised due to their adverse side effects, particularly those related to neuropathy. Previous studies have shown that repeated administration of oxaliplatin and paclitaxel produces neuropathy in rodents.

Establishment of opioid-induced rewarding effects under oxaliplatin- and Paclitaxel-induced neuropathy in rats.

The rewarding effects of μ-receptor agonists can be suppressed under several pain conditions. We recently showed that clinically used μ-receptor agonists possess efficacies for relieving the neuropathic pain induced by chemotherapeutic drug in rats; however, it is possible that the use of μ-receptor agonists may trigger the rewarding effects even under chemotherapeutic drug-induced neuropathic pain. Nevertheless, no information is available regarding whether μ-receptor agonists produce psychological dependence under chemotherapeutic drug-induced neuropathic pain.