Cisplatin neuropathy. Risk factors, prognosis, and protection by WR-2721

Abstract

A prospective study of patients receiving cis‐diaminedichloroplatin II (DDP) was carried out to determine if risk factors could be identified related to the patient's living habits or past medical history that would predict in which patients DDP neuropathy might develop. Sixty‐nine patients receiving six different combinations of chemotherapeutic agents, including DDP were examined. Twenty‐eight of these patients received DDP in combination with the radioprotective agent S‐2‐(3‐aminopropylamino)‐ethylphosporothioic acid (WR 2721). No risk factors were identified relating to personal habits or past medical history of the patients. However, patients receiving DDP (40 mg/m²) on 5 consecutive days had a significantly higher incidence of neuropathy. Patients receiving DDP in combination with WR 2721 had a significantly lower incidence of neuropathy, and the mean dose at onset was significantly higher than the mean dose at onset of neuropathy for all other groups. In addition, five of six patients who were available for long‐term follow‐up demonstrated nearly complete reversal of the signs and symptoms of neuropathy.