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Updated: May 25, 2026

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity
Published on: April 26, 2012
Chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity: the value of neuroprotective strategies
A J M Beijers1, J L M Jongen, G Vreugdenhil
1Department of Internal Medicine, Maxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common major dose-limiting side effect of many chemotherapeutic agents, including platinum compounds, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, thalidomide and newer agents such as bortezomib. The incidence and degree of neuropathy depends on the type of cytotoxic drug, the duration of administration, cumulative dose and pre-existing peripheral neuropathy. Because of increasing survival rates of patients treated with neurotoxic agents, CIPN is accompanied by a significant decrease in the patient's quality of life among cancer survivors. Therefore, several neuroprotective strategies, including calcium/magnesium infusion, amifostine, gluthatione, glutamine, acetyl-L-carnitine and erythropoietin as most promising, have been investigated to decrease the neurotoxicity without compromising anti-tumour efficacy. However, clinical evidence for the efficacy of these drugs is sparse. In this review we will give an outline of the neurotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents, their clinical manifestations and potential neuroprotective strategies.
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