[Neurologic side effects of cytotoxic drugs]

Abstract

Damage to the nervous system is a common side effect of antineoplastic therapy. The improvements in treating systemic malignancies have been accompanied by the reports of neurological toxicity that has important impact on quality of life and may even limit the use of the treatment. Neurotoxicity can be induced by synergistic or additive effects of cytotoxic drugs and nervous system exposure is related to routes and doses of administered drugs. Neurological toxicity may be a dose-limiting factor that prevents the more aggressive use of cytotoxic drugs. With the increasing use of multiple modality therapy, dose-intensive therapy and experimental therapy, the incidence of neurological toxicity is still rising. Early diagnosis is essential. Indeed, when neurological complications are diagnosed with delay, they are rarely reversible. Neuroprotective agents are still evaluated. The neurologic complications of the more commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, hormones and targeted molecular agents are discussed.