Long term effects of vincristine on the peripheral nervous system

Abstract

Forty patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma treated with vincristine between 1984 and 1990 (cumulative dose 12 mg in 18-24 weeks) were investigated in order to evaluate the long term effects of vincristine on the peripheral nervous system. The patients were interviewed with emphasis on neuropathic symptoms. Physical and quantitative sensory examination with determination of vibratory perception and thermal discrimination thresholds were performed, four to 77 months (median 34 months) after vincristine treatment. Twenty-seven patients reported neuropathic symptoms. In 13 of these 27 patients symptoms were still present at the time of examination. In these patients sensory signs and symptoms predominated. In the other 14 patients symptoms had been present in the past. Symptoms persisted maximally 40 months since cessation of therapy. There was no age difference between patients with and without complaints at the time of examination. Normal reflexes were found in two third of patients. Neuropathic complaints were not very troublesome on the long term. It is concluded that with the above mentioned vincristine dose schedule signs and symptoms of vincristine neuropathy are reversible for a great deal and prognosis is fairly good.

Visuomotor control in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with chemotherapy only

“…In their studies on motor performance in children with ALL, ReindersMesselink et al (1996ReindersMesselink et al ( , 1999ReindersMesselink et al ( , 2001 found that problems with balance and gross motor performance occurred mainly during treatment and improved with time, while fine motor problems appeared after treatment. As vincristine neuropathy is acute and decreases with time (Postma et al, 1993), it is postulated that these fine motor problems may be due to methotrexate neurotoxicity, which can have a late onset and run a chronic course (Vezmar et al, 2003).…”

Neuropathy Secondary to Chemotherapy: A Real Issue for Cancer Survivors

“…This toxicity is very important and is considered a major dose-limiting side effect. An autonomic neuropathy and demyelination are sometimes manifested (Postma et al, 1993). The dose level and the cumulative dose are the most important factors associated with the development of severe vincristine-induced CIPN.…”

“…Vincristine commonly produces isolated sensory CIPN but may be associated with severe motor neuropathy (Postma et al, 1993). This toxicity is very important and is considered a major dose-limiting side effect.…”

Antinociceptive effect of Matricaria chamomilla on vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice

“…Painful peripheral neuropathy is one of the main side effects induced by diverse classes of chemotherapeutic agents, including vincristine (Namvaran et al, 2011b;Postma et al, 1993;Quasthoff and Hartung, 2002). Vincristine is one of the most common chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat a wide variety of malignancies, including leukemia and lymphoma, and prevents tumor cell replication through alteration of cytoskeletal structure and disorientation of microtubules (Himes et al, 1976;Owellen et al, 1976).…”