5.2Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy
Oxaliplatin can cause acute and delayed neuropathy. Reduce the dose or permanently discontinue oxaliplatin for persistent neurosensory reactions based on the severity of the adverse reaction [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )]. Acute Neuropathy Acute neuropathy typically presents as a reversible, primarily peripheral sensory neuropathy that occurs within hours or 2 days following a dose, resolves within 14 days, and frequently recurs with further dosing.
The symptoms can be precipitated or exacerbated by exposure to cold temperature or cold objects and they usually present as transient paresthesia, dysesthesia and hypoesthesia in the hands, feet, perioral area, or throat. Jaw spasm, abnormal tongue sensation, dysarthria, eye pain, and a feeling of chest pressure have also been observed. The acute, reversible pattern of sensory neuropathy was observed in about 56% of patients who received oxaliplatin with fluorouracil/leucovorin.
In any individual cycle, acute neuropathy occurred in approximately 30% of patients. For grade 3 peripheral sensory neuropathy, the median time to onset was 9 cycles for adjuvant treatment and 6 cycles for previously treated advanced colorectal cancer. An acute syndrome of pharyngolaryngeal dysesthesia occurred in 1% to 2% (grade 3-4) of patients previously untreated for advanced colorectal cancer. Subjective sensations of dysphagia or dyspnea, without any laryngospasm or bronchospasm (no stridor or wheezing) occurred in patients previously treated for advanced colorectal cancer.
Avoid topical application of ice for mucositis prophylaxis or other conditions, because cold temperature can exacerbate acute neurological symptoms . Delayed Neuropathy Delayed neuropathy typically presents as a persistent (greater than 14 days), primarily peripheral sensory neuropathy that is usually characterized by paresthesias, dysesthesias, and hypoesthesias, but may also include deficits in proprioception that can interfere with daily activities (e.g., writing, buttoning, swallowing, and difficulty walking from impaired proprioception).
These forms of neuropathy occurred in 48% of patients receiving oxaliplatin. Delayed neuropathy can occur without any prior acute neuropathy. Most patients (80%) who developed grade 3 persistent neuropathy progressed from prior grade 1 or 2 reactions. These symptoms may improve in some patients upon discontinuation of oxaliplatin. Adjuvant treatment In the adjuvant treatment trial, neuropathy was graded using NCI CTC, version 1 as summarized in Table 3 .
Table 3: Grading for Neuropathy in Adjuvant Treatment Trial Grade Definition 0 No change or none 1 Mild paresthesias, loss of deep tendon reflexes 2 Mild or moderate objective sensory loss, moderate paresthesias 3 Severe objective sensory loss or paresthesias that interfere with function 4 Not applicable Peripheral sensory neuropathy occurred in 92% of patients (all grades), including 13% of patients (grade 3) who received oxaliplatin with fluorouracil/leucovorin.
At the 28-day follow-up after the last treatment cycle, 60% of patients had any grade (grade 1=40%, grade 2=16%, grade 3=5%) peripheral sensory neuropathy, decreasing to 39% at 6 months of follow-up (grade 1=31%, grade 2=7%, grade 3=1%) and 21% at 18 months of follow-up (grade 1=17%, grade 2=3%, grade 3=1%). Advanced colorectal cancer In the advanced colorectal cancer trials, neuropathy was graded using the neurotoxicity scale summarized in Table 4 .
Table 4: Grading for Neuropathy in Advanced Colorectal Cancer Trials Grade Definition 1 Resolved and did not interfere with functioning 2 Interfered with function but not daily activities 3 Pain or functional impairment that interfered with daily activities 4 Persistent impairment that is disabling or life-threatening Neuropathy occurred in 82% (all grades) of patients previously untreated for advanced colorectal cancer, including 19% grade 3-4; and in 74% (all grades) of patients previously treated for advanced colorectal cancer, including 7% grade 3-4.
