Meta-analysis of incidence and risk of peripheral neuropathy associated with intravenous bortezomib

Ling Peng1, Xianghua Ye, Yun Zhou

  • 1Department of Thoracic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.

Abstract

Insights

Bortezomib treatment for multiple myeloma and lymphoma increases the risk of peripheral neuropathy. This meta-analysis quantifies the incidence and relative risk of this side effect in patients receiving intravenous bortezomib.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor used for multiple myeloma (MM) and mantle cell lymphoma.
  • Peripheral neuropathy is a known side effect, but its incidence and risk are not well-defined.
  • A meta-analysis was conducted to assess these risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of peripheral neuropathy (all grades and high-grade) associated with intravenous bortezomib.
  • To compare the relative risk of bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy versus placebo.
  • To analyze incidence based on underlying disease (MM vs. lymphoma).

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and ASCO meeting proceedings.
  • Included were prospective phase 2 and 3 clinical trials reporting peripheral neuropathy toxicity.
  • Meta-analysis techniques, including fixed- or random-effects models, were used to calculate incidence and relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Main Results:

  • 34 trials with 6492 patients were analyzed.
  • The incidence of all-grade peripheral neuropathy was 33.9% (95% CI, 29.9-38.5%), and high-grade was 8.1% (95% CI, 6.9-9.4%).
  • Bortezomib significantly increased the risk of all-grade (RR=4.89) and high-grade (RR=4.53) neuropathy compared to placebo (in RCTs). Lymphoma patients showed higher incidence than MM patients.

Conclusions:

  • Intravenous bortezomib treatment is associated with a significantly increased risk of peripheral neuropathy.
  • The findings highlight the importance of monitoring for and managing this adverse event in patients treated with bortezomib.
  • Risk stratification by disease may be warranted.

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