Hershman, D.L., Lacchetti, C., Dworkin, R.H., Lavoie Smith, E.M., Bleeker, J., Cavaletti, G., . . . American Society of Clinical Oncology. (2014). Prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in survivors of adult cancers: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 32, 1941–1967.

STUDY PURPOSE: To provide evidence-based guidance on optimum prevention and treatment approaches in the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in adult cancer survivors

TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review

DATABASES USED: Ovid Medline (1946–April, week 2, 2013); EMBASE (1980–2013, week 16); AMED Allied and Complementary Medicine (1985–April 2013)

KEYWORDS: chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy; adult cancer survivors; randomized clinical trials

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Adult cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy; randomized trials

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Phase 1 trials; published in a language other than English; less than 10 patients; focused on radiation or stem cell transplant neuropathy; animal studies

TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED = 1,252

EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: An expert panel representing neurology, nursing, medical oncology, community oncology, pain research, and genetics met through teleconference and emails to review and develop the American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines.

• FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 48
• TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW: Treatment studies: 780; prevention studies: 3,741

PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

Forty-two randomized clinical trials involved 19 various interventions for prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. These agents included anticonvulsants, antidepressants, vitamins, minerals, and other chemoprotectant drugs. Only six randomized clinical trials discovered six different drugs, such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and a topical gel, for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The following are not recommended for use: acetyl-l-carnitine, amifostine, amitriptyline, calcium and magnesium, glutathione, nimodipine, ORG 2766, trans retinoic acid, rhuLIF, and vitamin E. Venlafaxine is not recommended for routine use in clinical practice. Although data support potential utility, evidence is not strong enough to suggest use. For treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, clinicians can offer duloxetine. No recommendation is made regarding ALC. Tricyclic antidepressants or gabapentin through trial use may be reasonable.  The panel felt that trying topical gel containing baclofen, amitriptyline, and ketamine would be reasonable. 

No agents were recommended for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, but duloxetine is moderately recommended for the treatment of chemotherapy-induce peripheral neuropathy. Even though conclusive evidence is lacking to recommend tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline, gabapentin, and a topical gel containing baclofen,amitriptyline, and ketamine for treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, the expert panel agreed that offering these agents based on treatment for neuropathic pain is reasonable. The panel also recommended that patients be counseled regarding the lack of evidence in treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy with these agents.

• Small, insufficient sample
• Inability to compare studies because of different outcomes
• Measurements and instruments used at different points in treatment

Nurses are at the frontline in assessing patients who are receiving agents with the potential for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Nurses should be aware of the standard of care in treating this population. Many drugs prescribed have no evidence in preventing or treating these patients. However, with these American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines, a role for duloxetine is clear and a role for tricyclic antidepressants is possible. Nurses need to be knowledgeable about this information to better inform patients.