Supplements to Help Prevent Neuropathy During Chemotherapy? A Cautionary Tale

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) remains a common and challenging treatment-related toxicity of many anticancer therapies. Sensory neuropathy involving the hands and/or feet has been observed in more than 70% of women with localized breast cancer receiving a taxane (1,2). Some of these neuropathies have a profound and disabling impact on an individual's quality of life, with the majority of those affected experiencing persistent symptoms at 12 months (3). Developing CIPN also can lead to dose reductions, delays, or discontinuation of chemotherapy, which may impair the effectiveness of cancer treatments (4). Numerous clinical trials have been performed to attempt to protect against neuropathy in this setting, but no agent has been well proven to prevent CIPN (5).

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