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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
07:42
Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity
Published on: April 26, 2012
Neuroprotection during chemotherapy: a systematic review
1Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. walkerm@u.washington.edu
American Journal of Clinical Oncology
|February 7, 2007
Summary
Neuroprotective agents show promise in preventing or reversing chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity, a common cause of cancer treatment changes. Many agents had minimal side effects and did not impact antitumor efficacy, suggesting potential benefits for patients undergoing cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neurotoxicity is a significant challenge in cancer treatment, often leading to dose reduction or discontinuation.
- Developing effective neuroprotective strategies is crucial for maintaining treatment adherence and patient quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review evidence-based neuroprotective agents used during antineoplastic therapy.
- To provide a neurologist's perspective on risk assessment and management of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 49 human clinical trials and prospective case reports on neuroprotectants in adults.
- Descriptive analysis of identified literature, focusing on efficacy, safety, and impact on antitumor activity.
Main Results:
- Sensory neuropathies were the most common type, often partially reversible.
- Most studied neuroprotective agents demonstrated minimal side effects, with no reported negative impact on antitumor efficacy.
- Two trials were terminated early due to adverse patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Many reviewed agents likely offer some neuroprotective benefit against chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity.
- Further research with standardized designs is needed for definitive meta-analysis.
- Risk factor identification and neuropathy screening are essential components of patient management.
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