PREGABALIN FOR OXALIPLATIN NEUROTOXICITY TREATMENT

Anticancer Res. 2010 Jul;30(7):2927-33.
Role of Pregabalin in Treatment of Oxaliplatin-induced Sensory Neuropathy.
Saif MW, Syrigos K, Kaley K, Isufi I.

MBBS, Associate Professor, Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, 333 Cedar Street; FMP 116, New Haven, CT 06520, U.S.A. wasif.saif@yale.edu.
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.