Leukaemia inhibitory factor abrogates Paclitaxel-induced axonal atrophy inthe Wistar rat

A prominent side effect of Paclitaxel chemotherapy is sensorimotor peripher al neuropathy. Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) supports the survival and regrowth of axotomised sensory and motor neurons and we therefore investiga ted if systemically administered LIF abrogated Paclitaxel-induced neuropath y. We found that whereas animals administered Paclitaxel alone exhibited a significant decrease in the percentage of large myelinated axons, this redu ction was prevented by the co-administration of LIF. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.