[Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: an unresolved issue].
BACKGROUND
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the most prevalent neurological complication of cancer treatment, affecting a third of all patients who undergo chemotherapy. CIPN impairs functional capacity, compromises the quality of life and results in dose reduction or cessation of chemotherapy, representing a dose-limiting side effect of many antineoplastic drugs. In addition to classic, novel agents, bortezomib and oxaliplatin have been shown to have a significant risk of CIPN.


METHODS
By reviewing literature, this article analyses relevant issues and recent advances regarding the pathogenesis, incidence, risk factors, diagnosis, characteristics and management of CIPN.


RESULTS
Research into the pathophysiology and identification of risk factors for individual patients is growing. A future avenue of investigation includes the identification of patients at lower or higher risk based on their genotype. Best tools for CIPN assessment are not defined. Many agents have been claimed to be neuroprotectors without showing significant results in large randomised clinical trials.


CONCLUSIONS
Early recognition and subsequent dose reduction/discontinuation of the offending agent is the only way to minimise the development of this potentially debilitating complication. Due to the lack of effective prophylactic or symptomatic treatments up to now, neurological monitoring should be recommended in patient candidates to be treated with neurotoxic antineoplastic agents, mainly when they present baseline neuropathy. Development of reliable methods for CIPN assessment is essential.
Velasco
R
R
Unidad de Neuro-Oncología, Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.
Bruna
J
J
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents