The Journal of community and supportive oncology
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J Community Support Oncol · May 2015
Significant response to lacosamide in a patient with severe chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major dose-limiting toxicity of potentially curative cancer therapy regimens. Cisplatin is the class of chemotherapy agent that has a broad spectrum of activity against several solid tumors, but it induces sensory neuropathy of upper and lower extremities. Cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy is usually in a "gloves and socks" distribution that can persist for months or years after completion of chemotherapy treatment. ⋯ Here we report a case in which lacosamide alleviated painful CIPN symptoms. Lacosamide is an anticonvulsant drug that blocks the voltage-gated sodium channels in the neurons and may also be a promising novel candidate for the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Preclinical data support the role of lacosamide protective effect in a rat model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, randomized clinical trial is needed.
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J Community Support Oncol · May 2015
Health professionals' attitudes toward the detection and management of cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome, and a proposal for standardized assessment.
The identification and management of patients with cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS) can be a challenge despite recent international consensus on the definition of the condition. ⋯ Most oncologists and nurses recognize the core criteria for the CACS, although there may be under-recognition of the condition's prevalence, particularly earlier in the course of treatment. There is considerable interest in adopting a brief assessment tool for screening, management, and referral of patients who are affected by or at-risk of CACS.