Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Pregabalin and Duloxetine in Taxane-Induced Sensory Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Gabapentinoids for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) affects patients' quality of life and treatment effectiveness. Gabapentinoids, like gabapentin and pregabalin, are often used for CIPN treatment, but their efficacy and safety remain uncertain. This study reviews and analyses randomised controlled trial data on this topic.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL until 29 August 2022 for studies on gabapentinoid use in CIPN. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan V.5.4 and the Metafor package in R. Outcomes included pain scores, quality of life and adverse drug events.

RESULTS

For the prevention setting, our meta-analysis shows that pregabalin did not significantly improve average pain (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.14, 95% CI -0.51 to 0.23; I2=26% (95% CI 0% to >98%)) or quality of life (mean difference (MD) 2.5, 95% CI -4.67 to 9.67; p=0.49) in preventing CIPN compared with placebo. However, it showed a potential trend towards reducing the worst pain (SMD -0.28, 95% CI -0.57 to 0.01; I2=0% (95% CI 0% to 98%; p=0.06)). For the treatment setting, some studies have shown a potential therapeutic effect of gabapentinoids. However, the results are not consistent between studies. Given the studies' heterogeneity, a meta-analysis in treatment setting was not performed.

CONCLUSION

There is limited evidence to support the use of gabapentinoids in CIPN. In prevention setting, gabapentinoids do not significantly prevent CIPN. In treatment setting, studies have been inconsistent in their conclusions, lacking definitive benefits over placebo. More comprehensive and higher quality research is needed in the future.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022361193.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled head-to-head trials of recommended drugs for neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is a challenging chronic pain condition. Limited knowledge exists regarding the relative effectiveness of pharmacological treatments, and differences in trial design and impact of the placebo response preclude indirect comparisons of efficacy between drug classes. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis of head-to-head trials was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of drugs recommended for neuropathic pain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of direct-comparison double-blind randomized trials. Primary outcomes were mean change in pain intensity and number of responders with a 50% reduction in pain intensity. Secondary outcomes encompassed quality of life, sleep, emotional functioning, and number of dropouts because of adverse events. We included 30 trials (4087 patients), comprising 16 crossover and 14 parallel-group design studies. All studies were conducted in adults, and the majority were investigator-initiated trials. We found moderate-quality evidence for equivalence (no clinically relevant difference) between tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and gabapentin/pregabalin with a combined mean difference in pain score of 0.10 (95% CI -0.13 to 0.32). We could not document differences between TCA and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), between SNRI and gabapentin/pregabalin, or between opioids and TCA (low quality of evidence). We found more dropouts because of adverse events with SNRI and opioids compared with TCA (low quality of evidence). We did not identify any studies that included topical treatments. This systematic review of direct-comparison studies found evidence for equivalence between TCA and gabapentin/pregabalin and fewer dropouts with TCA than SNRI and opioids.

Parthenolide as a potential analgesic in the treatment of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain: the rat modeling

In this study, we determined the therapeutic effect of parthenolide (PTL), the active component of Tanacetum parthenium, on neuropathic pain caused by paclitaxel (PTX), a chemotherapeutic drug frequently used in cancer treatment, at the gene and protein levels. To this end, 6 groups were formed: control, PTX, sham, 1 mg/PTL, 2 mg/kg PTL, and 4 mg/kg PTL. Pain formation was tested by Randall-Selitto analgesiometry and locomotor activity behavioral analysis. Then, PTL treatment was performed for 14 days. After the last dose of PTL was taken, Hcn2, Trpa1, Scn9a, and Kcns1 gene expressions were measured in rat brain (cerebral cortex/CTX) tissues. In addition, changes in the levels of SCN9A and KCNS1 proteins were determined by immunohistochemical analysis. Histopathological hematoxylin-eosin staining was also performed to investigate the effect of PTL in treating tissue damage on neuropathic pain caused by PTX treatment. When the obtained data were analyzed, pain threshold and locomotor activity decreased in PTX and sham groups and increased with PTL treatment. In addition, it was observed that the expression of the Hcn2, Trpa1, and Scn9a genes decreased while the Kcns1 gene expression increased. When protein levels were examined, it was determined that SCN9A protein expression decreased and the KCNS1 protein level increased. It was determined that PTL treatment also improved PTX-induced tissue damage. The results of this study demonstrate that non-opioid PTL is an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, especially when used at a dose of 4 mg/kg acting on sodium and potassium channels.

The role of pharmacists in multimodal cancer cachexia care

Cancer cachexia is a complex syndrome, and multidisciplinary management has the potential to improve patient outcomes and efficiency of care. Multidisciplinary management consists primarily of exercise, nutrition, and pharmacotherapy. The pharmacist's role in cancer cachexia is to contribute to appropriate pharmacotherapy practices. For example, anamorelin is an oral drug with ghrelin-like effects that may improve the pathogenesis of cancer cachexia by stimulating appetite and increasing food intake and body weight. Many patients with cancer cachexia are under treatment with anticancer agents, and pharmacists need to determine whether symptoms such as anorexia and nausea are due to cancer cachexia or anticancer agents. Based on that determination, they are then expected to suggest supportive care to the physician. Provision of multidisciplinary care for cancer cachexia requires communication with not only physicians but also with nurses, dietitians, and other professionals so that nutritional therapy can be provided at the time cachexia is detected. However, the role of pharmacists in the management of cancer cachexia is not well established, and there is no evidence that pharmacist interventions are of benefit to patients. In this article, to contribute to the treatment of cancer cachexia by multidisciplinary care, we describe the role of pharmacists in cancer cachexia as currently practiced at our hospital. We also consider future challenges to this type of multidisciplinary care. Evidence concerning multidisciplinary treatment of cancer cachexia is scarce, including therapeutic agents, and there is a current lack of collaboration among medical professionals and education in cancer cachexia. Solving these problems will require efforts in the practice and evaluation of treatment for cancer cachexia.

Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity in colorectal cancer patients: mechanisms, pharmacokinetics and strategies

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is a standard treatment approach for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OIPN) is a severe dose-limiting clinical problem that might lead to treatment interruption. This neuropathy may be reversible after treatment discontinuation. Its complicated mechanisms are related to DNA damage, dysfunction of voltage-gated ion channels, neuroinflammation, transporters, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, etc. Several strategies have been proposed to diminish OIPN without compromising the efficacy of adjuvant therapy, namely, combination with chemoprotectants (such as glutathione, Ca/Mg, ibudilast, duloxetine, etc.), chronomodulated infusion, dose reduction, reintroduction of oxaliplatin and topical administration [hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC), and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)]. This article provides recent updates related to the potential mechanisms, therapeutic strategies in treatment of OIPN, and pharmacokinetics of several methods of oxaliplatin administration in clinical trials.

Antidepressants for pain management in adults with chronic pain: a network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain is common in adults, and often has a detrimental impact upon physical ability, well-being, and quality of life. Previous reviews have shown that certain antidepressants may be effective in reducing pain with some benefit in improving patients' global impression of change for certain chronic pain conditions. However, there has not been a network meta-analysis (NMA) examining all antidepressants across all chronic pain conditions.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the comparative efficacy and safety of antidepressants for adults with chronic pain (except headache).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, AMED and PsycINFO databases, and clinical trials registries, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of antidepressants for chronic pain conditions in January 2022.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs that examined antidepressants for chronic pain against any comparator. If the comparator was placebo, another medication, another antidepressant, or the same antidepressant at different doses, then we required the study to be double-blind. We included RCTs with active comparators that were unable to be double-blinded (e.g. psychotherapy) but rated them as high risk of bias. We excluded RCTs where the follow-up was less than two weeks and those with fewer than 10 participants in each arm.  DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors separately screened, data extracted, and judged risk of bias. We synthesised the data using Bayesian NMA and pairwise meta-analyses for each outcome and ranked the antidepressants in terms of their effectiveness using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). We primarily used Confidence in Meta-Analysis (CINeMA) and Risk of Bias due to Missing Evidence in Network meta-analysis (ROB-MEN) to assess the certainty of the evidence. Where it was not possible to use CINeMA and ROB-MEN due to the complexity of the networks, we used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence. Our primary outcomes were substantial (50%) pain relief, pain intensity, mood, and adverse events. Our secondary outcomes were moderate pain relief (30%), physical function, sleep, quality of life, Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), serious adverse events, and withdrawal.

MAIN RESULTS

This review and NMA included 176 studies with a total of 28,664 participants. The majority of studies were placebo-controlled (83), and parallel-armed (141). The most common pain conditions examined were fibromyalgia (59 studies); neuropathic pain (49 studies) and musculoskeletal pain (40 studies). The average length of RCTs was 10 weeks. Seven studies provided no useable data and were omitted from the NMA. The majority of studies measured short-term outcomes only and excluded people with low mood and other mental health conditions. Across efficacy outcomes, duloxetine was consistently the highest-ranked antidepressant with moderate- to high-certainty evidence. In duloxetine studies, standard dose was equally efficacious as high dose for the majority of outcomes. Milnacipran was often ranked as the next most efficacious antidepressant, although the certainty of evidence was lower than that of duloxetine. There was insufficient evidence to draw robust conclusions for the efficacy and safety of any other antidepressant for chronic pain.  Primary efficacy outcomes Duloxetine standard dose (60 mg) showed a small to moderate effect for substantial pain relief (odds ratio (OR) 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69 to 2.17; 16 studies, 4490 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and continuous pain intensity (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.31, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.24; 18 studies, 4959 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). For pain intensity, milnacipran standard dose (100 mg) also showed a small effect (SMD -0.22, 95% CI -0.39 to 0.06; 4 studies, 1866 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Mirtazapine (30 mg) had a moderate effect on mood (SMD -0.5, 95% CI -0.78 to -0.22; 1 study, 406 participants; low-certainty evidence), while duloxetine showed a small effect (SMD -0.16, 95% CI -0.22 to -0.1; 26 studies, 7952 participants; moderate-certainty evidence); however it is important to note that most studies excluded participants with mental health conditions, and so average anxiety and depression scores tended to be in the 'normal' or 'subclinical' ranges at baseline already. Secondary efficacy outcomes Across all secondary efficacy outcomes (moderate pain relief, physical function, sleep, quality of life, and PGIC), duloxetine and milnacipran were the highest-ranked antidepressants with moderate-certainty evidence, although effects were small. For both duloxetine and milnacipran, standard doses were as efficacious as high doses. Safety There was very low-certainty evidence for all safety outcomes (adverse events, serious adverse events, and withdrawal) across all antidepressants. We cannot draw any reliable conclusions from the NMAs for these outcomes.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Our review and NMAs show that despite studies investigating 25 different antidepressants, the only antidepressant we are certain about for the treatment of chronic pain is duloxetine. Duloxetine was moderately efficacious across all outcomes at standard dose. There is also promising evidence for milnacipran, although further high-quality research is needed to be confident in these conclusions. Evidence for all other antidepressants was low certainty. As RCTs excluded people with low mood, we were unable to establish the effects of antidepressants for people with chronic pain and depression. There is currently no reliable evidence for the long-term efficacy of any antidepressant, and no reliable evidence for the safety of antidepressants for chronic pain at any time point.

Persistent weekly paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in early breast cancer patients enrolled in a randomized trial of cryotherapy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a serious side effect of weekly paclitaxel-based chemotherapy for breast cancer, that can persist for years. Cryotherapy therapy is effective for preventing early CIPN, but its protective effect on persistent CIPN is uncertain. This is a cross-sectional study conducted as an ancillary analysis of a randomized trial investigating the preventive effect of cryotherapy on CIPN in breast cancer patients receiving weekly paclitaxel-based chemotherapy (UMIN000034966). Eligible patients were evaluated for CIPN at more than a year after completion of the chemotherapy (persistent CIPN). CIPN was defined as a 6 or more points reduction from baseline in the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Neurotoxicity (FACT-NTX) score. The incidence of early and persistent CIPN was compared between cryotherapy and control groups. Thirty-eight patients were examined for both early and persistent CIPN. The median time from completion of the weekly paclitaxel-based chemotherapy to the questionnaire for persistent CIPN was 2.3 (1.3-3.1) years. In all 38 patients, persistent CIPN was demonstrated in 10 (26.3%), respectively. There was a numerical, however not significant, reduction in the incidence of persistent CIPN (15.8% vs 36.8%, P = .1) in the cryotherapy group compared with the control group, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age ≥ 65 was a substantial risk factor for persistent CIPN (HR: 14.7, 95%CI: 1.7-130.7, P = .01). In breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant weekly paclitaxel-based chemotherapy, cryotherapy resulted in a numerical, however not significant, reduction in the incidence of persistent CIPN and age>=65 was a risk factor for persistent CIPN.

Duloxetine for prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Duloxetine has previously been reported to be promising in the setting of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis, on the use of duloxetine in prevention and treatment of CIPN.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from database inception up until April 2022. Articles were included in this review if they reported on duloxetine use in the setting of CIPN, in a multiarm comparative human trial. A random effects DerSimonian-Laird model was used to calculate summary risk ratios (RR) and corresponding 95% CIs, comparing duloxetine to placebo. This review was registered on.

RESULTS

Seven randomised controlled trials that included 645 patients were identified. Five reported on duloxetine for treatment of CIPN, and two for prevention of CIPN. Two studies had some concern for bias. Duloxetine was statistically similar to placebo in its efficacy, both in the treatment (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.01) and prevention (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.19) of CIPN. Safety profile was similar, in the treatment (RR 1.31, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.89) and prevention (RR 1.52, 95% CI 0.98 to 2.38) setting.

CONCLUSION

There is currently limited evidence supporting duloxetine's use for CIPN. There is a need for more comprehensive and higher-quality trials assessing duloxetine in the setting of CIPN, before further clinical practice recommendations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO (CRD42022327487).

Treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review of randomized control trials

Purpose: Treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is challenging for clinicians, and many clinical trials and meta-analyses on CIPN are controversial. There are also few comparisons of the efficacy among drugs used to treat CIPN. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to study the efficacy of drugs in treating CIPN using existing randomized controlled trials. Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving any pharmaceutical intervention and/or combination therapy of treating CIPN. Results: Seventeen RCTs investigating 16 drug categories, duloxetine, pregabalin, crocin, tetrodotoxin, venlafaxine, monosialotetrahexosyl ganglioside (GM1), lamotrigine, KA (ketamine and amitriptyline) cream, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, topical Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) oil, BAK (baclofen, amitriptyline hydrochloride, and ketamine) pluronic lecithin organogel, gabapentin, and acetyl l-carnitine (ALC), in the treatment of CIPN were retrieved. Many of the included RCTs consisted of small sample sizes and short follow-up periods. It was difficult to quantify due to the highly variable nature of outcome indicators. Conclusion: Duloxetine, venlafaxine, pregabalin, crocin, tetrodotoxin, and monosialotetrahexosyl ganglioside exhibited some beneficial effects in treating CIPN. Duloxetine, GM1, and crocin showed moderate benefits based on the evidence review, while lamotrigine, KA cream, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, and topical Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) oil were not beneficial. Further studies were necessary to confirm the efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of CIPN because of the controversy of efficacy of gabapentin. Furthermore, BAK topicalcompound analgesic gel only had a tendency to improve the CIPN symptoms, but the difference was not statistically significant. ALC might result in worsening CIPN. Most studies were not of good quality because of small sample sizes. Therefore, standardized randomized controlled trials with large samples were needed to critically assess the effectiveness of these drugs in treating CIPN in the future.

Pregabalin for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: background and rationale for further study

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is difficult to manage, and the pain associated with neuropathy is poorly responsive to gabapentin in a randomized trial. Duloxetine is the only drug that has been found to be effective in reducing pain from chemotherapy neuropathy. In this qualitative review, the use of pregabalin for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is discussed including the rationale and pharmacological reasons why pregabalin should be considered in a large, randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Emerging Approaches for the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN): Therapeutic Potential of the C5a/C5aR Axis

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the most common neurologic complication of chemotherapy, resulting in symptoms like pain, sensory loss, and numbness in the hands and feet that cause lots of uneasiness in patients with cancer. They often suffer from pain so severe that it interrupts the treatment, thus invalidating the entire chemotherapy-based healing process, and significantly reducing their quality of life. In this paper, we underline the role of the complement system in CIPN, highlighting the relevance of the C5a fragment and its receptor C5aR1, whose activation is thought to be involved in triggering a cascade of events that can lead to CIPN onset. Recent experimental data showed the ability of docetaxel and paclitaxel to specifically bind and activate C5aR1, thus shining light on one of the molecular mechanisms by which taxanes may activate a cascade of events leading to neuropathy. According to these new evidence, it was possible to suggest new mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of CIPN. Hence, the C5a/C5aR1 axis may represent a new target for CIPN treatment, and the use of C5aR1 inhibitors can be proposed as a potential new therapeutic option to manage this high unmet medical need.

Current and Emerging Pharmacotherapeutic Interventions for the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Disorders

Peripheral nerve disorders are caused by a range of different aetiologies. The range of causes include metabolic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and chronic kidney disease. Diabetic neuropathy may be associated with severe weakness and the loss of sensation, leading to gangrene and amputation in advanced cases. Recent studies have indicated a high prevalence of neuropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease, also known as uraemic neuropathy. Immune-mediated neuropathies including Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy may cause significant physical disability. As survival rates continue to improve in cancer, the prevalence of treatment complications, such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, has also increased in treated patients and survivors. Notably, peripheral neuropathy associated with these conditions may be chronic and long-lasting, drastically affecting the quality of life of affected individuals, and leading to a large socioeconomic burden. This review article explores some of the major emerging clinical and experimental therapeutic agents that have been investigated for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy due to metabolic, toxic and immune aetiologies.

Drug treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a lethal disease where most tumors are too advanced at diagnosis for resection, leaving chemotherapy as the mainstay of treatment. Although the prognosis of unresectable PC is poor, it has been dramatically improved by new chemotherapy treatments, such as the combination of 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel. However, as oxaliplatin and paclitaxel are common neurotoxic drugs, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and severe adverse effect of both treatments. As there are no agents recommended in the ASCO guidelines, we review the methods used to treat CIPN caused by PC treatment. The efficacy of duloxetine was observed in a large randomized controlled trial (RCT). In addition, pregabalin was more effective than duloxetine for CIPN in two RCTs. Although duloxetine and pregabalin can be effective for CIPN, they have several side effects. Therefore, the choice between the two drugs should be determined according to effect and tolerability. Mirogabalin is also used in patients with PC and there is hope it will yield positive outcomes when treating CIPN in the future.

Mirogabalin vs pregabalin for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in pancreatic cancer patients

Background

The prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) has been improved by new chemotherapy regimens (combination of 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP)). Unfortunately, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse event of these two regimens. The efficacy of pregabalin for CIPN has been reported in previous studies. However, the efficacy of mirogabalin for CIPN remains unknown. Thus, in this study, we aimed to clarify which drug (mirogabalin or pregabalin) was more valuable for improving CIPN.

Methods

A total of 163 PC patients who underwent FOLFIRINOX or GnP between May 2014 and January 2021 were enrolled. Among them, 34 patients were diagnosed with CIPN. Thirteen patients were treated with mirogabalin (mirogabalin group), and twenty-one patients were treated with pregabalin (pregabalin group). Treatment efficacy was compared between the two groups.

Results

In both the mirogabalin group and the pregabalin group, the grade of patients with CIPN at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the initiation of treatment showed significant improvement compared to the pretreatment grade. Notably, the rate of CIPN improvement was higher in the mirogabalin group than in the pregabalin group (2 weeks: 84.6% (11/13) vs 33.3% (7/21), P value = 0.005; 4 weeks, 6 weeks: 92.3% (12/13) vs 33.3% (7/21), P value = 0.001).

Conclusions

Although both mirogabalin and pregabalin were effective at improving CIPN, mirogabalin might be a suitable first choice for CIPN in PC patients.

Trial registration

Not applicable

Pregabalin Attenuates Carboplatin-Induced Akathisia-Like Neuropathy: A Novel Case Report

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most serious adverse effects of chemotherapy. We experienced carboplatin (CBDCA)-induced akathisia-like CIPN, which was significantly attenuated by pregabalin administration, and report its treatment. A man in his 40s was administered CBDCA + pemetrexed (PEM) as the third-line treatment for recurrent malignant pleural mesothelioma. He rarely experienced mild akathisia-like symptoms on his feet before the diagnosis. The patient claimed that he exhibited mild degradation of the symptoms in the previous cisplatin (CDDP) + PEM treatment without the need for pharmacotherapy. Symptoms notably worsened approximately 7 days after the first cycle of CBDCA + PEM and did not disappear. Furthermore, symptoms worsened during the daytime and became milder at night. Lorazepam (0.5 mg) was administered 3 times a day from day 14 but was not effective. Finally, we evaluated the symptoms to be derived from CBDCA-induced neuropathy as he experienced the same symptoms in CDDP + PEM and did not have suspicious pathology or medicines for akathisia development. We decided to administer 75 mg pregabalin twice daily, resulting in significant symptom improvement. He also complained that he felt the symptoms 10 h after the previous pregabalin dose, suggesting that pregabalin was effective, and its effect weakened or disappeared as time progressed. Akathisia-like symptoms caused by CBDCA-induced CIPN are rare, but they significantly reduce the quality of life. Pregabalin was significantly effective in this case; therefore, we suggest that a detailed symptom interview and selection of the medicine, based upon the action mechanism, are necessary.

Chemotherapy and peripheral neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is a major dose-limiting side effect of many anti-cancer agents, including taxanes, platinums, vinca alkaloids, proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, and antibody-drug conjugates. The resultant symptoms often persist post treatment completion and continue to impact on long-term function and quality of life for cancer survivors. At present, dose reduction remains the only strategy to prevent severe neuropathy, often leading clinicians to the difficult decision of balancing maximal treatment exposure and minimal long-lasting side effects. This review examines the clinical presentations of CIPN with each class of neurotoxic treatment, describing signs, symptoms, and long-term outcomes. We provide an update on the proposed mechanisms of nerve damage and review current data on clinical and genetic risk factors contributing to CIPN development. We also examine recent areas of research in the treatment and prevention of CIPN, with specific focus on current clinical trials and consensus recommendations for CIPN management.

Preclinical and Clinical Evidence of Therapeutic Agents for Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Paclitaxel is an essential drug in the chemotherapy of ovarian, non-small cell lung, breast, gastric, endometrial, and pancreatic cancers. However, it frequently causes peripheral neuropathy as a dose-limiting factor. Animal models of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) have been established. The mechanisms of PIPN development have been elucidated, and many drugs and agents have been proven to have neuroprotective effects in basic studies. In addition, some of these drugs have been validated in clinical studies for their inhibitory PIPN effects. This review summarizes the basic and clinical evidence for therapeutic or prophylactic effects for PIPN. In pre-clinical research, many reports exist of neuropathy inhibitors that target oxidative stress, inflammatory response, ion channels, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, cannabinoid receptors, and the monoamine nervous system. Alternatively, very few drugs have demonstrated PIPN efficacy in clinical trials. Thus, enhancing translational research to translate pre-clinical research into clinical research is important.

Neuromuscular complications of cancer therapy

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

The neuromuscular complications of cancer therapy include chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN), immune-related neuromuscular complications to immune checkpoint inhibitors and radiation-induced neuropathy/plexopathy. With a wider focus on CIPN, we will discuss new pathogenetic insights, recent predictive biomarkers and emerging therapies for neuromuscular complications of cancer therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Findings from recent preclinical studies have improved our knowledge on new CIPN pathogenetic pathways, including the activation of senescence-like processes in neurons, axonal degeneration and neuroinflammation. Metabolomics and serum neurofilament light chain levels appear the most promising biomarkers to predict CIPN development and severity. There is some recent evidence of promising pharmacological compounds to prevent or treat CIPN, and new drugs are in early development and testing.

SUMMARY

A multimodal assessment, with neurophysiological, imaging and patient-reported outcome measures, coupled with the use of reliable blood or genetic biomarkers, may offer pathogenetic grounds for future preventive and symptomatic strategies for the multidisciplinary treatment of neuromuscular complications of cancer therapy.

Capsaicin 8% patch Qutenza and other current treatments for neuropathic pain in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Current oral treatments for neuropathic pain associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) have limited clinical efficacy, and undesirable side-effects. Topically delivered treatments have the advantage of avoiding CNS side-effects, while relieving pain. We have reviewed treatments of neuropathic pain associated with CIPN, focusing on the Capsaicin 8% patch, which can provide pain relief for up to 3 months or longer after a single 30-60-min application.

RECENT FINDINGS

Capsaicin 8% patch is a licensed treatment in the EU/UK for neuropathic pain and shown to be safe and effective in providing pain relief for patients with CIPN. Repeated daily oral or topical administrations are not required, as with other current treatments. The side-effects are transient and restricted to the time around patch application. New evidence suggests the Capsaicin 8% patch can promote the regeneration and restoration of skin nerve fibres in CIPN, in addition to the pain relief.

SUMMARY

The Capsaicin 8% patch is now often a preferred a treatment option for localised neuropathic pain conditions, including the feet and hands in patients with CIPN. Capsaicin 8% patch can be repeated three-monthly, if needed, for a year. In addition to pain relief, it may have a disease-modifying effect.

Emerging pharmacological strategies for the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN), based on novel CIPN mechanisms

INTRODUCTION

Based on results of available clinical trials, the treatment and prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) largely remains an unmet clinical need. However, new approaches have emerged in the last few years, attempting to modify the natural history of acute and late CIPN effects through a better knowledge of the pathogenic process on the molecular level.

AREAS COVERED

Clinical results of recently published (last 5 years) or ongoing emerging therapeutic/preventive pharmacological approaches based on novel CIPN mechanisms have been identified from Pubmed and ClinicalTrials.gov. Results are reviewed and discussed, in order to assess the trend of new clinical studies but also to infer the role novel approaches may have in the future.

EXPERT OPINION

The large heterogeneity of disease-causing mechanisms prevents researchers from identifying a reliable approach to effectively and safely treat or prevent CIPN. Understanding of novel pathophysiologic processes is leading the way to novel therapies, which, through targeting the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor or pharmacologically inhibiting axonal degeneration might achieve in the future both treatment and prevention of CIPN. Toward this end, a multi-targeting approach, combining drugs to target different CIPN pathomechanisms seems to be a rational approach that warrants testing.

Prevention and Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Survivors of Adult Cancers: ASCO Guideline Update

PURPOSE

To update the ASCO guideline on the recommended prevention and treatment approaches in the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in adult cancer survivors.

METHODS

An Expert Panel conducted targeted systematic literature reviews to identify new studies.

RESULTS

The search strategy identified 257 new references, which led to a full-text review of 87 manuscripts. A total of 3 systematic reviews, 2 with meta-analyses, and 28 primary trials for prevention of CIPN in addition to 14 primary trials related to treatment of established CIPN, are included in this update.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The identified data reconfirmed that no agents are recommended for the prevention of CIPN. The use of acetyl-l-carnitine for the prevention of CIPN in patients with cancer should be discouraged. Furthermore, clinicians should assess the appropriateness of dose delaying, dose reduction, substitutions, or stopping chemotherapy in patients who develop intolerable neuropathy and/or functional impairment. Duloxetine is the only agent that has appropriate evidence to support its use for patients with established painful CIPN. Nonetheless, the amount of benefit from duloxetine is limited.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/survivorship-guidelines.

A Systematic Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Duloxetine

Duloxetine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor approved for the treatment of patients affected by major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), neuropathic pain (NP), fibromyalgia (FMS), and stress incontinence urinary (SUI). These conditions share parallel pathophysiological pathways, and duloxetine treatment might be an effective and safe alternative. Thus, a systematic review was conducted following the 2009 Preferred Reporting Items (PRISMA) recommendations and Joanna Briggs Institute Critical (JBI) Appraisals guidelines. Eighty-five studies focused on efficacy, safety, and tolerability of duloxetine were included in our systematic review. Studies were subdivided by clinical condition and evaluated individually. Thus, 32 studies of MDD, 11 studies of GAD, 19 studies of NP, 9 studies of FMS, and 14 studies of SUI demonstrated that the measured outcomes indicate the suitability of duloxetine in the treatment of these clinical conditions. This systematic review confirms that the dual mechanism of duloxetine benefits the treatment of comorbid clinical conditions, and supports the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of duloxetine in short- and long-term treatments.