Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy as a predictor of neuropathic pain in breast cancer patients previously treated with paclitaxel

Abstract

e20505 Background: Neuropathic pain (NP) remains difficult to control for a significant proportion of patients with cancer. Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is postulated as an initial stage to the development of NP. Among breast cancer patients, taxanes, platinum agents, and vinca alkaloids are most likely to cause NP. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which those who experienced CIPN (NCI toxicity criteria ≥ grade 2 sensory neuropathy) during paclitaxel chemotherapy were at risk of developing chronic NP, controlling for disease- and treatment-related variables (e.g., stage of disease, location of tumor chemotherapy and other cancer therapies, dose of chemotherapy and duration of treatment), clinical health status (e.g., comorbid conditions), and sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, race). Methods: We conducted a follow-up survey of breast cancer patients who previously participated in clinical trials for paclitaxel. Patients were asked if they have ever been diagnosed by the physician or healthcare provider for NP during the survey. Clinical trial data (NCI Toxicity, cummulative dose) were abstracted from a clinical database. Results: Of the 430 potential respondents, 240 responded to the survey. Mean follow-up time was 9.5 years (SD=2.1). Sixty three percent of the respondents had grade 2 or greater sensory neuropathy during their previous treatment with paclitaxel. Follow-up data showed that 18% (43/240) were subsequently diagnosed by their physician to have NP. Logistic regression analysis showed that those with CIPN during the trial were 3 times more likely to having been diagnosed with NP (OR=3; 95%CI=1.2; 7.2; p<0.001), which persisted in the multivariable model. Other variables found to be associated with NP included cummulative dose of paclitaxel, and comorbid conditions such as diabetes and osteoarthritis. Patients with NP reported twice as many visits to their health care provider (p=0.028); had taken more prescription (50% versus 19%; p=0.0001) for pain relative to those without NP. Conclusions: We provide empirical evidence on the importance CIPN as a risk factor for NP in breast cancer patients.Prospective studies with larger cohorts are needed to validate our findings. No significant financial relationships to disclose.