Taxane-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Is cryotherapy the magic answer?

Authors

Tiffany M. Statler, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Oncology

Advisor

Nancy Reid

Abstract

Up to 60-80% of cancer survivors and approximately 20-40% of cancer patients will suffer from treatment-induced peripheral neuropathy, which is the dose-limiting side effect of many chemotherapeutics including paclitaxel, oxaliplatin, vincristine, and bortezomib among other agents. Despite the significance of this problem for patients and providers, few effective prevention methods or therapies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy exist. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is consistently associated with lower self-reported physical function and quality of life and contributes to increased cancer mortality as patients often do not complete their full course of chemotherapy due to dose reductions, modifications, or even treatment discontinuation.

Taxanes are used in the majority of breast cancer patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy. Taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common dose-limiting complication with potentially irreversible effects of taxane-based chemotherapies. To date, there are few pharmacologic and alternative treatment modalities that have been proven efficacious in preventing or treating taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy. Cryotherapy independently or combined with compression is an attractive mechanism-independent modality for preventing taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy.

The present review aims to educate the target audience regarding chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and more specifically taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy, as well as dissect the current knowledge on the use of cryotherapy in preventing taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Recommended Citation

Statler TM. Taxane-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Is cryotherapy the magic answer?. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2019; 1(3).