Experience with vincristine--associated neurotoxicity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency and severity of occurrence of vincristine-associated neurotoxicity.


METHODS
A retrospective case series study.


METHODS
Hurlingham Oncology Clinic, Nairobi.


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients treated for various neoplasms with vincristine containing chemotherapeutic regimens.


METHODS
The frequency and degree of neurotoxicity when vincristine was given at the standard dose of 1.4 mg/m2.


RESULTS
Five patients (13.2%) developed peripheral neuropathy, one having had it even before vincristine was started. Therefore only four (10.5%) had it attributed to vincristine. Four of the patients who developed neuropathy (80%) were HIV-positive. Neuropathy grade 2 (severe) occurred in only two patients leading to discontinuation of the drug. All the neurotoxicity resolved after discontinuation of vincristine.


CONCLUSIONS
Vincristine induced neuropathy occurred but was rarely severe at a dose of 1.4 mg/m2. It appeared to be more frequent in HIV infected individuals, but controlled studies with bigger sample sizes are required to determine whether this may warrant routine capping of the dose at a maximum of 2 mg.
Othieno-Abinya
N A
NA
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676, Nairobi, Kenya.
Nyabola
L O
LO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014750:Vincristine / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D014750:Vincristine