Incidence, Severity and Clinical Correlation of Oxaliplatin Induced Neuropathy in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Single Institutional Experience

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and its incidence is increasing in developing countries. Chemotherapy plays a significant role in the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic colorectal cancer. Oxaliplatin has remained the backbone of the treatment of colorectal carcinoma. The primary dose-limiting toxicity of oxaliplatin is neuropathy, which can reduce compliance during therapy and impair daily living activities. With limited data regarding the occurrence of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) in the Indian population, we aimed to determine the incidence and severity of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity and its clinical correlation with various clinical parameters in patients with colorectal carcinoma in a cancer care centre from North-East India. Material and Methods: A prospective observational analysis was performed on all histologically confirmed cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma who received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy either in an adjuvant setting or first-line palliative setting at Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute between April 2019 to March 2020. Results: Our study evaluated 76 patients with colorectal carcinoma with a mean age of 54.07 ± 10 years. The majority (65.8%) of the patients had adenocarcinoma of the colon, and 34.2% had rectal adenocarcinoma. Twenty-three (30.3%) patients presented with metastatic disease. Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimens were either CAPOX (72.4%) or FOLFOX (27.6%). Acute OIPN was observed in 59 patients (77.6%), and the most common symptom was cold-induced perioral paraesthesia. The most frequent grade for acute OIPN was grade II (30.3%). Chronic OIPN was seen in 47 (61.8%) patients, with the majority developing grade II neuropathy and was manifested mainly after 4th cycle of chemotherapy. The incidence of OIPN was higher in the patients aged ≥60 years, with a cumulative oxaliplatin dose of > 1000 mg/m2 and baseline low serum magnesium or calcium level. Conclusion: Oxaliplatin is one of the essential chemotherapy drugs used in colorectal cancer with significant dose-limiting toxicity of peripheral neuropathy. Well-timed identification of neuropathic symptoms can increase treatment adherence and improve the patient’s quality of life.