Similar neurocognitive patterns in patients treated with lenalidomide: chemobrain effect?

Abstract

Purpose: o report and describe cognitive impairments during lenalidomide treatment in three patients. Despite the relevant clinical impact of chemotherapy-related cognitive deficit (known as "chemobrain effect"), very few data are available in the literature. Methods: We present three subjects who developed cognitive impairment during treatment with lenalidomide. Their neuropsychological assessment was evaluated in order to better define the cognitive areas involved. For each patient medical history, drug therapy, physical examination and other instrumental tests (brain CT scan and/or MRI scan, FDG-PET and electroencephalography) were collected. Results: In all patients, we observed an homogeneous neuropsychological pattern characterized by long-term verbal and visuospatial memory deficits, and decline in attentional and executive functions. Conclusions: Lenalidomide treatments can determine severe cognitive impairments especially in elderly patients. Our data suggest the need for a careful evaluation of cognitive decline risk before and after drug administration. However, larger studies are required to confirm our findings.

Keywords: Cognitive decline; chemobrain effect; cognitive impairment; lenalidomide; neuropsychology.