The paradox of paclitaxel neurotoxicity: Mechanisms and unanswered questions

Abstract

Paclitaxel is a microtubule-binding compound that is widely used as a chemotherapeutic in the treatment of common cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel binding along the length of microtubules stabilizes them and suppresses their dynamics, leading to mitotic arrest and apoptosis in dividing cells. Though they are not dividing cells, neurons are also susceptible to paclitaxel, and paclitaxel exposure results in axonal degeneration. Thus a frequent side effect of paclitaxel treatment in patients is peripheral neuropathy, which can necessitate dose reductions and have lasting symptoms. An understanding of the mechanisms underlying paclitaxel's neurotoxicity is important for development of therapeutics to prevent and alleviate the neuropathy. Here we will review approaches taken to investigate mechanisms of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy and evidence for potential mechanisms of the axonal degeneration downstream of or distinct from microtubule stabilization by paclitaxel. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'The Synaptic Basis of Neurodegenerative Disorders'.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Microtubule dynamics; Neurotoxicity; Paclitaxel; Peripheral neuropathy; Taxol.