Novel Strategies for Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Posted: Friday, October 20, 2017
Two novel approaches to reducing and/or preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in women receiving treatment for breast cancer—cryotherapy and multivitamin supplementation—have been explored in two different studies, with varying results.
Hiroshi Ishiguro, MD, PhD, FACP, of the International Health and Welfare Hospital in Nasushiobara, Tochigi, Japan, and colleagues found that cryotherapy was useful in preventing both objective and subjective symptoms of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy and resultant dysfunction. The findings of this prospective self-controlled trial were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Of the 36 patients analyzed, there was a lower incidence of signs of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (tactile sensitivity, warm sense, and manual dexterity) on the intervention side (use of frozen gloves and socks) than on the untreated side.
Christine B. Ambrosone, PhD, of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, and colleagues found that although the use of multivitamins may be associated with a reduced risk of CIPN, use of individual dietary supplements did not appreciably affect the risk. More than 1200 patients with breast cancer completed questionnaires regarding the use of multivitamins and supplements before and at diagnosis. Given the lack of prospective randomized trials of vitamin supplementation, the investigators did not consider recommendations for its use or changes to clinical practice warranted at the time of the study. The findings of this cooperative group trial (S0221) were also published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
