• Saiyun Hou, Billy Huh, Hee Kee Kim, Kyung-Hoon Kim, and Salahadin Abdi.
• Department of Pain Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
• Pain Physician. 2018 Nov 1; 21 (6): 571-592.

BackgroundChemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a commonly encountered disease entity following chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Although only duloxetine is recommended by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for the treatment of CIPN in 2014, the evidence of the clinical outcome for new pharmaceutic therapies and non-pharmaceutic treatments has not been clearly determined.ObjectiveTo provide a comprehensive review and evidence-based recommendations on the treatment of CIPN.Study DesignA systematic review of each treatment regimen in patients with CIPN.MethodsThe literature on the treatment of CIPN published from 1990 to 2017 was searched and reviewed. The 2011 American Academy of Neurology Clinical Practice Guidelines Process Manual was used to grade the evidence and risk of bias. We reviewed and updated the recommendations of the ASCO in 2014, and evaluated new approaches for treating CIPN.ResultsA total of 26 treatment options in 35 studies were identified. Among these, 7 successful RCTs, 6 failed RCTs, 18 prospective studies, and 4 retrospective studies were included. The included studies examined not only pharmacologic therapy but also other modalities, including laser therapy, scrambler therapy, magnetic field therapy and acupuncture, etc. Most of the included studies had small sample sizes, and short follow-up periods. Primary outcome measures were highly variable across the included studies. No studies were prematurely closed owing to its adverse effects.LimitationsThe limitations of this systematic review included relatively poor homogeneous, with variations in timing of treatment, primary outcomes, and chemotherapeutic agents used.ConclusionThe evidence is considered of moderate benefit for duloxetine. Photobiomodulation, known as low level laser therapy, is considered of moderate benefit based on the evidence review. Evidence did not support the use of lamotrigine and topical KA (4% ketamine and 2% amitriptyline). The evidence for tricyclic antidepressants was inconclusive as amitriptyline showed no benefit but nortriptyline had insufficient evidence. Further research on CIPN treatment is needed with larger sample sizes, long-term follow-up, standardized outcome measurements, and standardized treatment timing.Key WordsChemotherapy-induced neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, chemotherapy-tumor, neuropathic pain, chronic pain, toxicology, treatment, reduction of pain, level of evidence.

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