Comparison of peripheral neuropathy induced by standard and nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel in rats

Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) is delivered to tumors and increases antitumor activity compared with solvent-based paclitaxel. However, in a clinical trial, higher and lower rates of peripheral neuropathy and neutropenia were observed. In this study, we compared the effects of nab-paclitaxel and standard paclitaxel on pain behaviors in rats. Repeated administration of nab-paclitaxel dose-dependently induced both mechanical and cold allodynia, and the effects of nab-paclitaxel on pain behaviors tended to be stronger than that of standard paclitaxel at the doses used clinically. These results suggest that closer attention must be paid to the neuropathy when administering nab-paclitaxel in clinical settings.