An overview of chemotherapy-induced peripheral sensory neuropathy, focusing on oxaliplatin.
When treating patients for metastatic cancer, there is always a balance between the benefits of treatment and resulting side-effects. Peripheral sensory neuropathy (PSN) is a side-effect of many anticancer agents used in routine practice. Oxaliplatin is a relatively new agent currently licensed in over 50 countries including France, Germany and the UK for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Although it is a new agent, it is from the same family of drugs as cisplatin, an agent that has been used for many years. PSN is the most commonly discussed side-effect associated with oxaliplatin. Oxaliplatin-induced PSN is characterized by two distinct syndromes: a transient acute dysaesthesia and a cumulative distal neurotoxicity. Importantly, both are generally reversible after stopping treatment. Oxaliplatin-induced acute PSN is triggered and exacerbated by cold and can be greatly reduced in affected patients simply by avoiding cold conditions. Oxaliplatin-induced cumulative PSN may also be managed by temporary cessation of treatment.
Gent
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Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK.
Massey
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K
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin