Sphingolipid metabolism products: potential new players in the pathogenesis of bortezomib-induced neuropathic pain

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is one of the major dose-limiting adverse events of widely used drugs in both the oncologic and hematologic setting (1). Among its cardinal symptoms, neuropathic pain is frequently present (2). In particular, the incidence of bortezomib-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (BIPN) and neuropathic pain ranges from 14–45% and 5–39%, respectively, in myeloma multiple patients.