Systemic anti-cancer therapy associated with the occurrence of peripheral neurotoxicity and, specifically, peripheral neuropathy

TY - JOUR

T1 - Systemic anti-cancer therapy associated with the occurrence of peripheral neurotoxicity and, specifically, peripheral neuropathy

AU - Higgins, Cassie

AU - Gauthier, Lynn R

AU - Smith, Blair H

AU - Colvin, Lesley

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UICC.

PY - 2026/3/5

Y1 - 2026/3/5

N2 - The investigation of peripheral neurotoxicity associated with systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) agents is often confined to a small range of chemotherapy agents. This study aimed to identify all SACT agents associated with peripheral neurotoxicity and, specifically, peripheral neuropathy, and to provide incidence estimates for the development of each type of neurotoxicity associated with each agent. Antineoplastic agents approved globally for clinical and/or research purposes were identified through triangulation of nine national and global drug product databases. The class of each agent was identified using DrugBank Online. Evidence of peripheral neurotoxicity and, specifically, peripheral neuropathy was obtained by reviewing Micromedex (and, where required, supplemented by data reported in national clinical trials registries). A total of 467 approved antineoplastic agents were identified for clinical and/or research purposes globally. Peripheral neurotoxicity (including neuropathy) was associated with 144 (31%) agents: 49 (45%) classical chemotherapeutic agents; 61 (21%) targeted therapies; 26 (63%) immunotherapies; and 8 (25%) hormone therapies. Peripheral neuropathy, specifically, was associated with 77 (16%) agents: 30 (27%) classical chemotherapeutic agents; 31 (11%) targeted therapies; 16 (39%) immunotherapies; and no hormone therapies. Based on the currently available evidence, this inventory of neurotoxic SACT agents could be considered exhaustive. From clinical and research perspectives, a comprehensive inventory of neurotoxic SACT agents is pivotal to informing drug design and understanding and implementing appropriate drug choice, as well as investigating the mechanisms involved in the neurotoxic effects of agents and identifying neuroprotective strategies for patients undergoing SACT.

AB - The investigation of peripheral neurotoxicity associated with systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) agents is often confined to a small range of chemotherapy agents. This study aimed to identify all SACT agents associated with peripheral neurotoxicity and, specifically, peripheral neuropathy, and to provide incidence estimates for the development of each type of neurotoxicity associated with each agent. Antineoplastic agents approved globally for clinical and/or research purposes were identified through triangulation of nine national and global drug product databases. The class of each agent was identified using DrugBank Online. Evidence of peripheral neurotoxicity and, specifically, peripheral neuropathy was obtained by reviewing Micromedex (and, where required, supplemented by data reported in national clinical trials registries). A total of 467 approved antineoplastic agents were identified for clinical and/or research purposes globally. Peripheral neurotoxicity (including neuropathy) was associated with 144 (31%) agents: 49 (45%) classical chemotherapeutic agents; 61 (21%) targeted therapies; 26 (63%) immunotherapies; and 8 (25%) hormone therapies. Peripheral neuropathy, specifically, was associated with 77 (16%) agents: 30 (27%) classical chemotherapeutic agents; 31 (11%) targeted therapies; 16 (39%) immunotherapies; and no hormone therapies. Based on the currently available evidence, this inventory of neurotoxic SACT agents could be considered exhaustive. From clinical and research perspectives, a comprehensive inventory of neurotoxic SACT agents is pivotal to informing drug design and understanding and implementing appropriate drug choice, as well as investigating the mechanisms involved in the neurotoxic effects of agents and identifying neuroprotective strategies for patients undergoing SACT.

KW - cancer

KW - chemotherapy

KW - peripheral neuropathy

KW - peripheral neurotoxicity

KW - systemic anti-cancer therapy

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105032114801

U2 - 10.1002/ijc.70414

DO - 10.1002/ijc.70414

M3 - Article

C2 - 41787483

AN - SCOPUS:105032114801

SN - 0020-7136

JO - International Journal of Cancer

JF - International Journal of Cancer

ER -