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Paclitaxel and long-lasting sensory neuropathy

Paclitaxel is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that is widely used for the treatment of several cancers, including breast and ovarium cancer. However, it induces disabling and potentially long-lasting sensory neuropathy.

In 28 patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with paclitaxel, nearly 3/4 of all patients developed neuropathic symptoms by 6 weeks of treatment. This neuropathy was not self limiting. The majority of patients (63%) did not experience recovery of neuropathic symptoms at follow-up.

The reserachers found that paclitaxel produces early sensory dysfunction and leads to persistent neuropathy.

Thys stated the possibility to avoir this nasty neuropathy: significant axonal dysfunction within the first month of treatment predated symptom onset, suggesting a window for neuroprotective therapies. ^[1]

December 2010, Jan M. Keppel Hesselink, MD, PhD

Referenties

[1]: Park SB, Lin CS, Krishnan AV, Friedlander ML, Lewis CR, Kiernan MC. | Early, progressive, and sustained dysfunction of sensory axons underlies paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. | Muscle Nerve. | 2010 Dec 9. [Epub ahead of print]