Efficacy of oxcarbazepine for prophylaxis against cumulative oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.

Author(s): Argyriou AA, Chroni E, Polychronopoulos P, Iconomou G, Koutras A, Makatsoris T, Gerolymos MK, Gourzis P, Assimakopoulos K, Kalofonos HP

Affiliation(s): Neurology Department, EMG/ENG Laboratory, University of Patras Medical School, 26504, Rion-Patras, Greece. andargyriou@yahoo.gr

Publication date & source: 2006-12-26, Neurology., 67(12):2253-5.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial

We conducted a randomized, open-label, controlled trial to assess the efficacy of oxcarbazepine for prophylaxis against oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OxIN). Thirty-two patients with colon cancer received 12 courses of the FOLFOX-4 regimen and were randomly assigned to receive oxcarbazepine (600 mg BID) or chemotherapy without oxcarbazepine. The incidence of OxIN was strikingly decreased in patients receiving oxcarbazepine (31.2% vs 75%). Oxcarbazepine may prevent OxIN symptoms. Further larger placebo-controlled trials are warranted to confirm our results.