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Current Treatment Options in Oncology
Published in: Current Treatment Options in Oncology 4/2014

01-12-2014 | Neuro-oncology (GJ Lesser, Section Editor)

Therapeutic Strategies for Cancer Treatment Related Peripheral Neuropathies

Authors: Deirdre R. Pachman, MD, James C. Watson, MD, Charles L. Loprinzi, MD

Published in: Current Treatment Options in Oncology | Issue 4/2014

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Opinion statement

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common toxicity associated with multiple chemotherapeutic agents. CIPN may have a detrimental impact on patients’ quality of life and functional ability, as well as result in chemotherapy dose reductions. Although symptoms of CIPN can improve with treatment completion, symptoms may persist. Currently, the treatment options for CIPN are quite limited. Duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, has the most evidence supporting its use in the treatment of CIPN. Other agents with potential benefit for the treatment of established CIPN include gabapentinoids, venlafaxine, tricyclic antidepressants, and a topical gel consisting of the combination of amitriptyline, ketamine, and baclofen; none of these, however, has been proven to be helpful and ongoing/future studies may well show that they are not beneficial. The use of these agents is often based on their efficacy in the treatment of non-CIPN neuropathic pain, but this does not necessarily mean that they will be helpful for CIPN-related symptoms. Other nonpharmacologic interventions including acupuncture and Scrambler therapy are supported by positive preliminary data; however, further larger, placebo-controlled trial data are needed to confirm or refute their effectiveness.
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Metadata
Title
Therapeutic Strategies for Cancer Treatment Related Peripheral Neuropathies
Authors
Deirdre R. Pachman, MD
James C. Watson, MD
Charles L. Loprinzi, MD
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Treatment Options in Oncology / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 1527-2729
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6277
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-014-0303-7

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