Role of pregabalin in treatment of oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy.

BACKGROUND Oxaliplatin use in gastrointestinal malignancies is limited by neurotoxicity. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pregabalin (LYRICA(R)) in the treatment of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 23 gastrointestinal cancer patients with grade 2 and 3 oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy were treated with pregabalin up to a target dose of 150mg orally (PO) three times a day (tid) based on benefit and tolerance. Neurological symptoms were serially evaluated. RESULTS The target dose of 150 mg tid provided the best benefit, but patients benefited even at lower doses. Onset of benefit was observed in 2-6 weeks. In the majority of patients (48%), neuropathy improved by 1 to 2 grades. CONCLUSION Pregabalin significantly reduced the severity of oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy. Being more potent than gabapentin, pregabalin achieved efficacy at lower doses and should lead to fewer dose-related side effects, although this remains to be established in a head-to-head trial.