Role of pregabalin in treatment of oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy

Abstract

Background: Oxaliplatin use in gastrointestinal malignancies is limited by neurotoxicity. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pregabalin (LYRICA(R)) in the treatment of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity.

Patients and methods: A total of 23 gastrointestinal cancer patients with grade 2 and 3 oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy were treated with pregabalin up to a target dose of 150mg orally (PO) three times a day (tid) based on benefit and tolerance. Neurological symptoms were serially evaluated.

Results: The target dose of 150 mg tid provided the best benefit, but patients benefited even at lower doses. Onset of benefit was observed in 2-6 weeks. In the majority of patients (48%), neuropathy improved by 1 to 2 grades.

Conclusion: Pregabalin significantly reduced the severity of oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy. Being more potent than gabapentin, pregabalin achieved efficacy at lower doses and should lead to fewer dose-related side effects, although this remains to be established in a head-to-head trial.