title: Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in pediatric cancer patients.
abstract: Vincristine is a chemotherapeutic agent that is a component of many combination regimens for a variety of malignancies, including several common pediatric tumors. Vincristine treatment is limited by a progressive sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy (VIPN) is particularly challenging to detect and monitor in pediatric patients, in whom the side effect can diminish long term quality of life. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding VIPN, focusing on its description, assessment, prediction, prevention, and treatment. Significant progress has been made in our knowledge about VIPN incidence and progression, and tools have been developed that enable clinicians to reliably measure VIPN in pediatric patients. Despite these successes, little progress has been made in identifying clinically useful predictors of VIPN or in developing effective approaches for VIPN prevention or treatment in either pediatric or adult patients. Further research is needed to predict, prevent, and treat VIPN to maximize therapeutic benefit and avoid unnecessary toxicity from vincristine treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Heme/Onc, University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Ellen M Lavoie
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Donohoe
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1065, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hertz
keywords: Vincristine; assessment; pediatric oncology; peripheral neuropathy; pharmacogenetics; prevention