Incidence and characteristics of peripheral neuropathy during oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for metastatic colon cancer

AIM: The current prospective study sought to trace the incidence and severity of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXLIPN) and to determine its clinical and electrophysiological pattern. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five adult patients scheduled to be treated with 12 courses of the oxaliplatin-based regimen, FOLFOX-4, for metastatic colon cancer participated in this study. Patients were clinically and electrophysiologically monitored at baseline and followed-up during chemotherapy. The severity of OXLIPN was summarized by means of a modified Total Neuropathy Score (TNS). RESULTS: Evidence of OXLIPN was disclosed in 16 of the 25 patients (64%). The mean TNS values for patients manifesting some grade of OXLIPN were 13.9 +/- 5.8 (range 7-28). All longitudinal comparisons concerning the motor conduction parameters failed to reach significance. By contrast, comparisons of the median changes at baseline and each of the follow-up studies revealed significant decrease in all sensory action potentials examined. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the majority of patients treated with the FOLFOX-4 regimen would manifest an axonal, predominately sensory peripheral neuropathy, of mild to moderate severity.