Mechanism-based Pharmacological Management of Chemotherapy-induced Neuropathic Pain from Preclinical Studies to Clinical Prospective: Platinum-based Drugs, Taxanes, and Vinca Alkaloids.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a painful condition, experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy with some specific drugs, such as platinum-based agents, taxanes, and vinca alkaloids. Painful CIPN may lead to dose interruptions and discontinuation of chemotherapy and can negatively impact on the quality of life and clinical outcome of these patients. Due to a lack of a practical medical therapy for CIPN, it is necessary to further explore and identify novel therapeutic options. METHODS: We have reviewed PubMed and EMBASE libraries to gather data on the mechanism-based pharmacological management of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. RESULTS: This review has focused on the potential mechanisms by which these chemotherapeutic agents may be involved in the development of CIPN, and explains how this may be translated into clinical management. Additionally, we have presented an overview of emerging candidates for the prevention and treatment of CIPN in preclinical and clinical studies. CONCLUSION: Taken together, due to the debilitating consequences of CIPN for the quality of life and clinical outcome of cancer survivors, future studies should focus on identifying underlying mechanisms contributing to CIPN as well as developing effective pharmacological interventions based on these mechanistic insights.

Safety and Efficacy of Vinpocetine as a Neuroprotective Agent in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vinpocetine as a neuroprotective agent is effective in acute ischemic stroke in some randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Since the last systematic review has been published in 2008, which didn't find conclusive evidence favoring its use, two more RCTs have also been completed. METHODS: Relevant electronic databases were searched with a suitable combination of Medical Subject Headings terms to detect publications describing RCTs exploring the safety and efficacy of vinpocetine in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The risk of bias was determined by using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias in RCTs after full-text review and relevant data extraction. Higgins and Thompson's I2 method was used to assess heterogeneity in studies. The presence of publication bias was assessed by Egger's test. We used a random effect model when I2 was more than 50% and a fixed-effect model for other parameters. RESULTS: Four placebo-controlled RCTs enrolling a total of 601 and 236 patients in vinpocetine and placebo groups, respectively, were included. The number of patients with death or significant disability was lower in the vinpocetine group than that in the placebo group at both 1 and 3 months (relative risk 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.99 and relative risk 0.67, CI 0.48-0.92, p = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). The degree of disability in participants at 1 month and 3 months was also lower in vinpocetine group than that in the placebo group (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.49, 95% CI 0.03-0.95 and SMD 1.22, CI 0.23-2.24, p = 0.001 and 0.04, respectively). Change in mini-mental state examination score compared with baseline at trial enrolment was also better in the vinpocetine group than in the placebo group (pooled weighted mean difference 0.92, 95% CI 0.02-1.82, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Vinpocetine has some promising efficacy in patients with ischemic stroke when used in the acute stage in reducing the disability, but presently there is not enough evidence to suggest that it also reduces case fatality. More double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs of adequate sample size are needed before making recommendations for the routine administration of vinpocetine for all patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Cardiovascular safety profile of taxanes and vinca alkaloids: 30 years FDA registry experience.

OBJECTIVE: Antimicrotubular agents are among the most commonly used classes of chemotherapeutic agents, but the risk of cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) remains unclear. Our objective was to study the CVAEs associated with antimicrotubular agents. METHODS: The Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System was used to study CVAEs in adults from 1990 to 2020. Reported single-agent (only taxane or vinca alkaloid) CVAEs were compared with combination therapy (with at least one of the four major cardiotoxic drugs: anthracycline, HER2Neu inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and checkpoint inhibitors) using adjusted polytomous logistic regression. RESULTS: Over 30 years, 134 398 adverse events were reported, of which 18 426 (13.4%) were CVAEs, with 74.1% due to taxanes and 25.9% due to vinca alkaloids. In 30 years, there has been a reduction in the proportion of reported CVAEs for taxanes from 15% to 11.8% (Cochran-Armitage P-trends <0.001) with no significant change in the proportion of reported CVAEs for vinca alkaloids (9.2%-11.7%; P-trends=0.06). The proportion of reported CVAEs was lower in both taxane and vinca alkaloid monotherapy versus combination therapy (reporting OR=0.50 and 0.55, respectively). Anthracyclines and HER2Neu inhibitor combinations with taxanes or vinca alkaloids primarily drove the higher burden of combination CVAEs. Hypertension requiring hospitalisation and heart failure was significantly lower in monotherapy versus combination antimicrotubular agent therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrotubular agents are associated with CVAEs, especially in combination chemotherapy regimens. Based on this study, we suggest routine cardiovascular assessment of patients with cancer before initiating antimicrotubular agents in combination therapy.

Effect of lubiprostone on vinca alkaloid-induced constipation in patients with hematological malignancies: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Patients receiving vinca alkaloids for hematological malignancies frequently experience constipation that is unresponsive to laxatives. Research on treatment of vinca alkaloid-induced constipation is limited. This study aimed to determine whether the chloride channel activator lubiprostone ameliorates vinca alkaloid-induced constipation in patients with hematological malignancies. In this retrospective cohort study, vinca alkaloid-induced constipation (grade ≥ 3 using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) was investigated in patients treated for hematological malignancies between July 2014 and June 2019 who had already been prescribed osmotic laxatives and additionally received either a stimulant laxative or lubiprostone. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for persistent constipation after introduction of the second laxative. A propensity score model was used to match 67 patients taking a stimulant laxative and 67 treated with lubiprostone, and the occurrence of intractable constipation was compared between groups. Overall, 203 patients were included, among whom 50 (25%) had constipation. On multivariate analysis, body mass index, opioid use, and addition of lubiprostone were independently associated with constipation. Patients treated with lubiprostone were significantly less likely to experience intractable constipation than did those treated with stimulant laxatives (10% vs. 34%, P = 0.002). Moreover, post-constipation diarrhea was significantly less frequent among patients treated with lubiprostone (42% vs. 63%, P = 0.024). Lubiprostone was more effective than stimulant laxatives at treating vinca alkaloid-induced intractable constipation in patients with hematological malignancies, and its use could enable safe vinca alkaloid chemotherapy.

Peripheral neuropathy in hematologic malignancies - Past, present and future.

Neurotoxic treatments (including proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs and vinca-alkaloids) are often used in the treatment of hematologic malignancy. Peripheral neuropathy can be part of a paraneoplastic syndrome accompanying the disease but more commonly is a consequence of treatment with neurotoxic therapies, and produces sensory, motor, autonomic nerve dysfunction or a combination, leading to pain, loss of sensation and functional disability. This review provides an update on peripheral neuropathy in hematologic malignancy, including risk factors, mechanisms and treatment options. We examine the clinical features and risk factors for peripheral neuropathy following bortezomib, thalidomide, brentuximab vedotin and vinca alkaloid treatment, as well as related compounds. We review the current data on pharmacogenetic risk factors for the development of toxicity and highlight areas of future research.

Neuroinflammatory Process Involved in Different Preclinical Models of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathies are characterized by nerves damage and axonal loss, and they could be classified in hereditary or acquired forms. Acquired peripheral neuropathies are associated with several causes, including toxic agent exposure, among which the antineoplastic compounds are responsible for the so called Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN). Several clinical features are related to the use of anticancer drugs which exert their action by affecting different mechanisms and structures of the peripheral nervous system: the axons (axonopathy) or the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons cell body (neuronopathy/ganglionopathy). In addition, antineoplastic treatments may affect the blood brain barrier integrity, leading to cognitive impairment that may be severe and long-lasting. CIPN may affect patient quality of life leading to modification or discontinuation of the anticancer therapy. Although the mechanisms of the damage are not completely understood, several hypotheses have been proposed, among which neuroinflammation is now emerging to be relevant in CIPN pathophysiology. In this review, we consider different aspects of neuro-immune interactions in several CIPN preclinical studies which suggest a critical connection between chemotherapeutic agents and neurotoxicity. The features of the neuroinflammatory processes may be different depending on the type of drug (platinum derivatives, taxanes, vinca alkaloids and proteasome inhibitors). In particular, recent studies have demonstrated an involvement of the immune response (both innate and adaptive) and the stimulation and secretion of mediators (cytokines and chemokines) that may be responsible for the painful symptoms, whereas glial cells such as satellite and Schwann cells might contribute to the maintenance of the neuroinflammatory process in DRG and axons respectively. Moreover, neuroinflammatory components have also been shown in the spinal cord with microglia and astrocytes playing an important role in CIPN development. Taking together, better understanding of these aspects would permit the development of possible strategies in order to improve the management of CIPN.

Vinca alkaloids, thalidomide and eribulin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity: From pathogenesis to treatment.

Vinca alkaloids, thalidomide, and eribulin are widely used to treat patients with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), adults affected by multiple myeloma and locally invasive or metastatic breast cancer, respectively. However, soon after their introduction into clinical practice, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) emerged as their main non-hematological and among dose-limiting adverse events. It is generally perceived that vinca alkaloids and the antiangiogenic agent thalidomide are more neurotoxic, compared to eribulin. The exposure to these chemotherapeutic agents is associated with an axonal, length-dependent, sensory polyneuropathy of mild to moderate severity, whereas it is considered that the peripheral nerve damage, unless severe, usually resolves soon after treatment discontinuation. Advanced age, high initial and prolonged dosing, coadministration of other neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agents and pre-existing neuropathy are the common risk factors. Pharmacogenetic biomarkers might be used to define patients at increased susceptibility of CIPN. Currently, there is no established therapy for CIPN prevention or treatment; symptomatic treatment for neuropathic pain and dose reduction or withdrawal in severe cases is considered, at the cost of reduced cancer therapeutic efficacy. This review critically examines the pathogenesis, epidemiology, risk factors (both clinical and pharmacogenetic), clinical phenotype and management of CIPN as a result of exposure to vinca alkaloids, thalidomide and its analogue lenalidomide as also eribulin.

Vinpocetina de liberación prolongada: un posible tratamiento adyuvante en crisis epiléptica de inicio focal / Extended-release vinpocetine: a possible adjuvant treatment for focal onset epileptic seizures

Resumen Introducción: La vinpocetina de liberación prolongada ha demostrado ser efectiva en el control de crisis de inicio focal en pacientes epilépticos con una baja frecuencia de eventos adversos. Se realizó un estudio clínico para evaluar la eficacia y tolerabilidad de la vinpocetina como tratamiento adyuvante en pacientes con este padecimiento. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio clínico, doble ciego, de grupos paralelos. Se reclutaron 87 pacientes con diagnóstico de epilepsia focal tratados con uno a tres fármacos antiepilépticos. Los pacientes se aleatorizaron para ser tratados con vinpocetina (n = 41) o placebo (n = 46) de manera adyuvante a su tratamiento, e ingresaron a la fase basal (4 semanas), a la fase de titulación (4 semanas) y a la fase de evaluación (8 semanas) conservando estables las dosis de la vinpocetina y de los fármacos antiepilépticos. Resultados: La vinpocetina fue más efectiva que el placebo en la reducción de las crisis al finalizar la fase de evaluación (p < 0.0001). El 69% de los pacientes tratados con vinpocetina presentaron una reducción mayor al 50% en las crisis en comparación con el 13% de los pacientes tratados con placebo. No se presentaron diferencias significativas en cuanto a la presencia de efectos adversos en los pacientes tratados con vinpocetina comparados con los tratados con placebo. Los eventos adversos más frecuentes observados con vinpocetina fueron cefalea (7.9%) y diplopía (5.2%). Conclusiones: Como tratamiento adyuvante, la vinpocetina (2 mg/kg/día) redujo eficazmente la frecuencia de crisis epilépticas y demostró ser bien tolerada. Presenta un amplio perfil de seguridad y eventos adversos conocidos, que son transitorios y sin secuelas.

Abstract Background: Extended-release vinpocetine is effective to control focal onset epileptic seizures with a low rate of adverse events. A clinical study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of vinpocetine as an adjuvant treatment in patients with this condition. Methods: A double-blind clinical study of parallel groups was conducted, in which 87 patients with a diagnosis of focal epilepsy treated with one to three antiepileptic drugs were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive vinpocetine (n = 41) or placebo (n = 46) adjuvant to their treatment. Patients entered the baseline phase (4 weeks), the titration phase (4 weeks) and the evaluation phase (8 weeks), maintaining stable doses of vinpocetine and their respective antiepileptic drug treatment. Results: Vinpocetine was more effective than placebo in reducing seizures at the end of the evaluation phase (p < 0.0001). Sixty-nine percent of the vinpocetine-treated patients had a 50% reduction in seizures compared to 13% of placebo-treated patients. No significant differences in the presence of adverse effects in patients treated with vinpocetine compared to those treated with placebo were observed. The most frequent adverse events observed with vinpocetine were headache (7.9%) and diplopia (5.2%). Conclusions: As an adjuvant treatment, vinpocetine (2 mg/kg/day) effectively reduced the frequency of epileptic seizures and proved to be well tolerated. Vinpocetine has a wide safety profile and well-known adverse events, which are transient and with no sequelae.

Extended-release vinpocetine: a possible adjuvant treatment for focal onset epileptic seizures.

Background: Extended-release vinpocetine is effective to control focal onset epileptic seizures with a low rate of adverse events. A clinical study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of vinpocetine as an adjuvant treatment in patients with this condition. Methods: A double-blind clinical study of parallel groups was conducted, in which 87 patients with a diagnosis of focal epilepsy treated with one to three antiepileptic drugs were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive vinpocetine (n = 41) or placebo (n = 46) adjuvant to their treatment. Patients entered the baseline phase (4 weeks), the titration phase (4 weeks) and the evaluation phase (8 weeks), maintaining stable doses of vinpocetine and their respective antiepileptic drug treatment. Results: Vinpocetine was more effective than placebo in reducing seizures at the end of the evaluation phase (p < 0.0001). Sixty-nine percent of the vinpocetine-treated patients had a 50% reduction in seizures compared to 13% of placebo-treated patients. No significant differences in the presence of adverse effects in patients treated with vinpocetine compared to those treated with placebo were observed. The most frequent adverse events observed with vinpocetine were headache (7.9%) and diplopia (5.2%). Conclusions: As an adjuvant treatment, vinpocetine (2 mg/kg/day) effectively reduced the frequency of epileptic seizures and proved to be well tolerated. Vinpocetine has a wide safety profile and well-known adverse events, which are transient and with no sequelae.

Introducción: La vinpocetina de liberación prolongada ha demostrado ser efectiva en el control de crisis de inicio focal en pacientes epilépticos con una baja frecuencia de eventos adversos. Se realizó un estudio clínico para evaluar la eficacia y tolerabilidad de la vinpocetina como tratamiento adyuvante en pacientes con este padecimiento. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio clínico, doble ciego, de grupos paralelos. Se reclutaron 87 pacientes con diagnóstico de epilepsia focal tratados con uno a tres fármacos antiepilépticos. Los pacientes se aleatorizaron para ser tratados con vinpocetina (n = 41) o placebo (n = 46) de manera adyuvante a su tratamiento, e ingresaron a la fase basal (4 semanas), a la fase de titulación (4 semanas) y a la fase de evaluación (8 semanas) conservando estables las dosis de la vinpocetina y de los fármacos antiepilépticos. Resultados: La vinpocetina fue más efectiva que el placebo en la reducción de las crisis al finalizar la fase de evaluación (p < 0.0001). El 69% de los pacientes tratados con vinpocetina presentaron una reducción mayor al 50% en las crisis en comparación con el 13% de los pacientes tratados con placebo. No se presentaron diferencias significativas en cuanto a la presencia de efectos adversos en los pacientes tratados con vinpocetina comparados con los tratados con placebo. Los eventos adversos más frecuentes observados con vinpocetina fueron cefalea (7.9%) y diplopía (5.2%). Conclusiones: Como tratamiento adyuvante, la vinpocetina (2 mg/kg/día) redujo eficazmente la frecuencia de crisis epilépticas y demostró ser bien tolerada. Presenta un amplio perfil de seguridad y eventos adversos conocidos, que son transitorios y sin secuelas.

Biological predictors of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): MASCC neurological complications working group overview.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and debilitating condition associated with a number of chemotherapeutic agents. Drugs commonly implicated in the development of CIPN include platinum agents, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, bortezomib, and thalidomide analogues. As a drug response can vary between individuals, it is hypothesized that an individual's specific genetic variants could impact the regulation of genes involved in drug pharmacokinetics, ion channel functioning, neurotoxicity, and DNA repair, which in turn affect CIPN development and severity. Variations of other molecular markers may also affect the incidence and severity of CIPN. Hence, the objective of this review was to summarize the known biological (molecular and genomic) predictors of CIPN and discuss the means to facilitate progress in this field.

Cannabinoids: Current and Future Options to Treat Chronic and Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain.

Increases in cancer diagnosis have tremendous negative impacts on patients and their families, and major societal and economic costs. The beneficial effect of chemotherapeutic agents on tumor suppression comes with major unwanted side effects such as weight and hair loss, nausea and vomiting, and neuropathic pain. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which can include both painful and non-painful symptoms, can persist 6 months or longer after the patient's last chemotherapeutic treatment. These peripheral sensory and motor deficits are poorly treated by our current analgesics with limited effectiveness. Therefore, the development of novel treatment strategies is an important preclinical research focus and an urgent need for patients. Approaches to prevent CIPN have yielded disappointing results since these compounds may interfere with the anti-tumor properties of chemotherapeutic agents. Nevertheless, the first (serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors [SNRIs], anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants) and second (5% lidocaine patches, 8% capsaicin patches and weak opioids such as tramadol) lines of treatment for CIPN have shown some efficacy. The clinical challenge of CIPN management in cancer patients and the need to target novel therapies with long-term efficacy in alleviating CIPN are an ongoing focus of research. The endogenous cannabinoid system has shown great promise and efficacy in alleviating CIPN in preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms through which the platinum, taxane, and vinca alkaloid classes of chemotherapeutics may produce CIPN and the potential therapeutic effect of drugs targeting the endocannabinoid system in preclinical and clinical studies, in addition to cannabinoid compounds diffuse mechanisms of action in alleviation of CIPN.

Chemotherapy-Induced First Bite Syndrome: A Case Report in a Patient With Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Vinca alkaloids are known to cause bilateral jaw pain that occurs once during the chemotherapy course. We report a patient with first bite syndrome (FBS) during active treatment with chemotherapy. A patient with Hodgkin lymphoma presented with unilateral jaw pain after beginning his chemotherapy regimen. Pain was worse with the first bite of each meal and dissipated over subsequent bites. Workup was negative for any lesions in the parotid, parapharyngeal space, or infratemporal fossa. Pain was timed closely with chemotherapy administration and would improve prior to next cycle. A trial of botulinum chemodenervation failed to completely relieve symptoms. The patient noted resolution of symptoms after the completion of chemotherapy. We report a case of FBS, which may represent the jaw pain seen commonly with administration of vinca alkaloids. There appears to be a correlation between onset and duration of first bite symptoms with chemotherapy administration.

Vinpocetine in the treatment of poststroke cognitive dysfunction: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical trials have reported that vinpocetine can be used for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction. However, its efficacy is still inconclusive. In this systematic review study, we aim to assess its efficacy and safety for the treatment of poststroke cognitive dysfunction (PSCD). METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases from the inception to the present to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vinpocetine for patients with PSCD. These databases include CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDILINE, CINAHL, AMED, and four Chinese databases. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vinpocetine for PSCD will be considered for inclusion without the language restrictions. The methodological quality of all included RCTs will be evaluated by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The 95% confidence intervals will be utilized to calculate the continuous data, the mean difference or standard mean difference, and dichotomous data with risk ratio. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals. Its results may provide important evidence for the clinical practice, as well as the future studies. It does not require ethical approval, because this systematic review will not involve the individual data. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018115224.

Long-Term Risk of Skin Cancer Among Childhood Cancer Survivors: A DCOG-LATER Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is common after radiotherapy among childhood cancer survivors (CCSs). We studied risks and risk factors for subsequent skin cancers, with emphasis on radiation dose, exposed skin surface area, and chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS: The DCOG-LATER cohort study includes 5-year Dutch CCSs diagnosed 1963-2001. Subsequent skin cancers were identified from record linkages with the Netherlands Cancer Registry and Dutch Pathology Registry. Incidence rates were compared with general population rates. Multivariable Cox regression models were used, applying a novel method of case-control sampling enabling use of tumor location in cohort analyses. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Among 5843 CCSs, 259 developed 1061 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] = 29.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 26.3 to 33.6; excess absolute risk per 10 000 person-years (EAR) = 24.6), 20 had melanoma (SIR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.4 to 3.5; EAR = 1.1), and 10 had squamous cell carcinoma (SIR = 7.5, 95% CI = 3.6 to 13.8; EAR = 0.8). Cumulative incidence of BCC 40 years after childhood cancer was 19.1% (95% CI = 16.6 to 21.8%) after radiotherapy vs 0.6% expected based on general population rates. After a first BCC, 46.7% had more BCCs later. BCC risk was associated with any radiotherapy to the skin compartment of interest (hazard ratio [HR] = 14.32, 95% CI = 10.10 to 20.29) and with estimated percentage in-field skin surface area (26-75%: HR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.24 to 3.20; 76-100%: HR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.33 to 3.53, vs 1-25% exposed; Ptrend among exposed = .002), but not with prescribed radiation dose and likelihood of sun-exposed skin-area. Of all chemotherapy groups examined, only vinca alkaloids increased BCC risk (HR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.04 to 2.27). CONCLUSION: CCSs have a strongly, 30-fold increased BCC risk. BCC risk appears to increase with increasing skin surface area exposed. This knowledge underscores the need for awareness by survivors and their health care providers.

[Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: Symptomatology and epidemiology]. / Neuropathies périphériques chimio-induites : symptomatologie et épidémiologie.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is common with specific semiological characteristics. When CIPN appears, there are many difficulties in guaranteeing sustained treatment, especially with optimal protocol. Moreover, CIPN have bad repercussions on quality of life after cancer disease. In this article, we have achieved a current state of CIPN and try to report details about semiological characteristics and topography. We have also produced some epidemiological data. Nonetheless, we have not voluntarily introduced treatment because it will be the topic of further work.

[Peripheral neuropathy as a side effect of chemotherapy and targeted therapy]. / Chemotherapie-induzierte periphere Neuropathie.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a severe and common side effect induced by a variety of anticancer drugs. CIPN presents as a sensory, motor, and sometimes autonomic dysfunction with a large variability, from a mild tingling sensation and hyperesthesia, to severe neuropathic pain. Up to 40 % of patients will develop CIPN which may lead to dose-reduction or discontinuation of their current treatment and largely affects their quality of life (QoL). This review presents specific clinical features and pathomechanisms and discusses current preventive strategies and therapeutic options.

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Long-term Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Clinical, Neurophysiological, Functional, and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Importance: In light of the excellent long-term survival of childhood cancer patients, it is imperative to screen for factors affecting health, function, and quality of life in long-term survivors. Objective: To comprehensively assess chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in childhood cancer survivors to define disease burden and functional effect and to inform screening recommendations. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cross-sectional observational study, cancer survivors who were treated with chemotherapy for extracranial malignancy before age 17 years were recruited consecutively between April 2015 and December 2016 from a single tertiary hospital-based comprehensive cancer survivorship clinic and compared with healthy age-matched controls. Investigators were blinded to the type of chemotherapy. A total of 169 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 48 (28.4%) were unable to be contacted or declined participation. Exposures: Chemotherapy agents known to be toxic to peripheral nerves. Main Outcomes and Measures: The clinical peripheral neurological assessment using the Total Neuropathy Score was compared between recipients of different neurotoxic chemotherapy agents and control participants and was correlated with neurophysiological, functional, and patient-reported outcome measures. Results: Of the 121 childhood cancer survivors included in this study, 65 (53.7%) were male, and the cohort underwent neurotoxicity assessments at a median (range) age of 16 (7-47) years, a median (range) 8.5 (1.5-29) years after treatment completion. Vinca alkaloids and platinum compounds were the main neurotoxic agents. Clinical abnormalities consistent with peripheral neuropathy were common, seen in 53 of 100 participants (53.0%) treated with neurotoxic chemotherapy (mean Total Neuropathy Score increase, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4-2.9; P < .001), and were associated with lower limb predominant sensory axonal neuropathy (mean amplitude reduction, 5.8 µV; 95% CI, 2.8-8.8; P < .001). Functional deficits were seen in manual dexterity, distal sensation, and balance. Patient-reported outcomes demonstrating reduction in global quality of life and physical functioning were associated with the Total Neuropathy Score. Cisplatin produced long-term neurotoxicity more frequently than vinca alkaloids. Conclusions and Relevance: Clinical abnormalities attributable to peripheral neuropathy were common in childhood cancer survivors and persisted long term, with concurrent deficits in patient-reported outcomes. Both the type of neurotoxic agent and a targeted clinical neurological assessment are important considerations when screening survivors for long-term neuropathy. Further development of peripheral neuropathy-specific pediatric assessment tools will aid research into neuroprotective and rehabilitative strategies.

Embryo-fetal development studies with the dietary supplement vinpocetine in the rat and rabbit.

Dietary supplement and natural product use is increasing within the United States, resulting in growing concern for exposure in vulnerable populations, including young adults and women of child-bearing potential. Vinpocetine is a semisynthetic derivative of the Vinca minor extract, vincamine. Human exposure to vinpocetine occurs through its use as a dietary supplement for its purported nootropic and neuroprotective effects. To investigate the effects of vinpocetine on embryo-fetal development, groups of 25 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats and 8 pregnant New Zealand White rabbits were orally administered 0, 5, 20, or 60 mg vinpocetine/kg and 0, 25, 75, 150, or 300 mg/kg daily from gestational day (GD) 6-20 and GD 7-28, respectively. Pregnant rats dosed with vinpocetine demonstrated dose-dependent increases in postimplantation loss, higher frequency of early and total resorptions, lower fetal body weights, and fewer live fetuses following administration of 60 mg/kg, in the absence of maternal toxicity. Additionally, the rat fetuses displayed dose-dependent increases in the incidences of ventricular septum defects and full supernumerary thoracolumbar ribs. Similarly, albeit at higher doses than the rats, pregnant rabbits administered vinpocetine displayed an increase in postimplantation loss and fewer live fetuses (300 mg/kg), in addition to significantly lower fetal body weights (≥75 mg/kg). In conclusion, vinpocetine exposure resulted in similar effects on embryo-fetal development in the rat and rabbit. The species differences in sensitivity and magnitude of response is likely attributable to a species difference in metabolism. Taken together, these data suggest a potential hazard for pregnant women who may be taking vinpocetine.

The preventive effect of sensorimotor- and vibration exercises on the onset of Oxaliplatin- or vinca-alkaloid induced peripheral neuropathies - STOP.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and clinically relevant side effect of chemotherapy. Approximately 50% of all leukemia, lymphoma, colorectal- and breast cancer patients are affected. CIPN is induced by neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agents and can manifest with sensory and/or motor deficits. It is associated with significant disability and poor recovery. Common symptoms include pain, altered sensation, reduced or absent reflexes, muscle weakness, reduced balance control and insecure gait. These symptoms not only affect activities of daily living, subsequently reducing patients' quality of life, they have far more become a decisive limiting factor for medical therapy, causing treatment delays, dose reductions, or even discontinuation of therapy, which can affect the outcome and compromise survival. To date, CIPN cannot be prevented and its occurrence presents a diagnostic dilemma since approved and effective treatment options are lacking. Promising results have recently been achieved with exercise. We have revealed that sensorimotor training (SMT) or whole body vibration (WBV) can reduce the symptoms of CIPN and attenuate motor and sensory deficits. We furthermore detected a tendency that it may also have a preventive effect on the onset of CIPN. METHODS: We are therefore conducting a prospective, multicentre, controlled clinical trial involving 236 oncological patients receiving either oxaliplatin (N = 118) or vinca-alkaloid (N = 118) who are randomized to one of two interventions (SMT or WBV) or a treatment as usual (TAU) group. Primary endpoint is the time to incidence of neurologically confirmed CIPN. Secondary endpoints are pain, maintenance of the functionality of sensory as well as motor nerve fibres as well as the level of physical activity. The baseline assessment is performed prior to the first cycle of chemotherapy. Subsequent follow-up assessments are conducted at 12 weeks, after completion of chemotherapy, and at a 3-month follow-up. Patients who develop CIPN receive an additional assessment at this time point, as it represents the primary endpoint. DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that SMT and WBV prevent the onset or delay the progression of CIPN, decrease the likelihood of dose reductions or discontinuation of cancer treatment and improve patients' quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Deutsche Register Klinischer Studien ( DRKS00006088 , registered 07.05.2014).

Effects of exercise during chemotherapy on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Over half of all cancer patients receiving taxane-, platinum-, or vinca alkaloid-based chemotherapy experience chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which includes numbness, tingling, pain, cold sensitivity, and motor impairment in the hands and feet. CIPN is a dose-limiting toxicity, potentially increasing mortality. There are no FDA-approved drugs to treat CIPN, and behavioral interventions such as exercise are promising yet understudied. This secondary analysis of our nationwide phase III randomized controlled trial of exercise for fatigue examines (1) effects of exercise on CIPN symptoms, (2) factors that predict CIPN symptoms, and (3) factors that moderate effects of exercise on CIPN symptoms. METHODS: Cancer patients (N = 355, 56 ± 11 years, 93% female, 79% breast cancer) receiving taxane-, platinum-, or vinca alkaloid-based chemotherapy were randomized to chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus Exercise for Cancer Patients (EXCAP©®). EXCAP is a standardized, individualized, moderate-intensity, home-based, six-week progressive walking and resistance exercise program. Patients reported CIPN symptoms of numbness and tingling and hot/coldness in hands/feet (0-10 scales) pre- and post-intervention. We explored baseline neuropathy, sex, age, body mass index, cancer stage, and cancer type as possible factors associated with CIPN symptoms and exercise effectiveness. RESULTS: Exercise reduced CIPN symptoms of hot/coldness in hands/feet (-0.46 units, p = 0.045) and numbness and tingling (- 0.42 units, p = 0.061) compared to the control. Exercise reduced CIPN symptoms more for patients who were older (p = 0.086), male (p = 0.028), or had breast cancer (p = 0.076). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise appears to reduce CIPN symptoms in patients receiving taxane-, platinum-, or vinca alkaloid-based chemotherapy. Clinicians should consider prescribing exercise for these patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov , # NCT00924651, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov .