Role of pregabalin in treatment of oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy

Anticancer Res. 2010 Jul;30(7):2927-33.

Abstract

Background: Oxaliplatin use in gastrointestinal malignancies is limited by neurotoxicity. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pregabalin (LYRICA(R)) in the treatment of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity.

Patients and methods: A total of 23 gastrointestinal cancer patients with grade 2 and 3 oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy were treated with pregabalin up to a target dose of 150mg orally (PO) three times a day (tid) based on benefit and tolerance. Neurological symptoms were serially evaluated.

Results: The target dose of 150 mg tid provided the best benefit, but patients benefited even at lower doses. Onset of benefit was observed in 2-6 weeks. In the majority of patients (48%), neuropathy improved by 1 to 2 grades.

Conclusion: Pregabalin significantly reduced the severity of oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy. Being more potent than gabapentin, pregabalin achieved efficacy at lower doses and should lead to fewer dose-related side effects, although this remains to be established in a head-to-head trial.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Capecitabine
  • Deoxycytidine / administration & dosage
  • Deoxycytidine / adverse effects
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Epirubicin / administration & dosage
  • Epirubicin / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects
  • Fluorouracil / analogs & derivatives
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Gemcitabine
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology*
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / adverse effects
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Epirubicin
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Capecitabine
  • Fluorouracil
  • Gemcitabine