Peripheral neuropathy following high-dose etoposide and autologous bone marrow transplantation.
We investigated the incidence of peripheral neuropathy in 142 consecutive patients receiving high-dose etoposide between August 1988 and December 1991. A retrospective chart review was conducted. Six patients with hematologic malignancies presented with a new sensory polyneuropathy after receiving an intensive therapy regimen consisting of etoposide 60 mg/kg i.v. and melphalan 140-160 mg/m2 i.v. followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation. Neurologic symptoms began 2-8 weeks after transplant, were grade 2-3 in severity and pursued a chronic course with slow improvement over months. Electromyographic studies in three of the patients tested confirmed distal sensory polyneuropathy. All 6 patients had previously received vincristine 1-60 months prior to autotransplant. We conclude that peripheral neuropathy of moderate severity is a potential complication of high-dose etoposide therapy but appears to be self-limited.
Imrie
K R
KR
University of Toronto Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Toronto Hospital, Canada.
Couture
F
F
Turner
C C
CC
Sutcliffe
S B
SB
Keating
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D005047:Etoposide