CIPN and Cryocompression
The science behind cryocompression for CIPN management
Paxman is leading research into the biological processes behind chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms and how cooling combined with compression can reduce the risk of dose reduction and significantly impacting quality of life.
How does chemotherapy cause peripheral neuropathy?
Effective management of CIPN begins with understanding the biology.
The complexity of CIPN means that rather than arising from a single pathway, damage occurs through interconnected cellular, metabolic, inflammatory, vascular and electrophysical processes. These can lead to severe CIPN and chronic pain or symptoms.
Evidence has demonstrated that different chemotherapy drug classes initiate distinct primary molecular ‘insults’ to cause cellular damage.1
Cell damage and stress
Many chemotherapy agents reduce energy production in cells and increase oxidative stress. This damages the nerve cells and contributes to nerve dysfunction.
Impaired axonal transport
Taxanes and vinca alkaloids disrupt the transport of nutrients and cellular components along the nerve fibres. This weakens nerve function and contributes to damage within cells.
Disruption of normal nerve signalling
Chemotherapy can increase nerve sensitivity and cause abnormal sensory signalling. This contributes to symptoms such as tingling, burning pain, pain from light touch, and cold hypersensitivity.
Neuroinflammation
Chemotherapy activates inflammatory responses that sensitise nerves and may contribute to persistent neuropathic pain.
Axon degeneration
Agents such as taxanes and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) can cause progressive degeneration of axons, responsible for carrying electrical signals within the body.
How cryocompression protects peripheral nerves
Paxman is pioneering research into the biological processes leading to peripheral nerve damage which suggests that controlled cooling could efficiently rescue human neuronal cells from the damage caused by different classes of chemotherapy drugs.
It is believed that cooling can exert direct biological effects, and this neuro-protection is temperature dependent suggested to be between
Cooling
Biological Protection
Induces vasoconstriction
This reduces local chemotherapy delivery to peripheral nerves.
Reduces cellular oxidative stress
May reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and associated cellular damage.
Reduces human neuronal cell destruction
Helps preserve the neurite architecture and cellular connectivity.
Maintains nerve cell signalling
May reduce axonal degradation, supporting normal nerve signalling.
Supports cell viability and functional resilience
May help maintain mitochondrial function and cellular resilience.
Compression
Patient Tolerability
Counter-pain pressure stimulus
This can reduce the perception of cold-induced discomfort, improving tolerability.
Better cooling surface contact
Inflation and deflation also improves contact between the cooling surface and the skin.
The Paxman Neuropathy System
Paxman’s cryocompression system revolutionises the way chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is managed around the world.
Dive into the detail and explore over 20 years of clinical research
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References
1. Etheridge H, Wong R, Sundar R, Bandla A, Georgopoulos NT. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): disease mechanisms, experimental models, and emerging prevention strategies. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2026.
