HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Natural products and complementary therapies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A syste

Study Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a serious dose-limiting side-effect without any FDA-approved treatment option. Prior reviews focus mostly on pharmacological interventions, but nonpharmaceutical interventions have also been evaluated. A Web of Science and PubMed database search to identify relevant RCTs from January 2005 to May 2015 included the terms: CIPN, cancer; and supplements, vitamin E, goshajinkigan, kampo, acetyl-l-carnitine, carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, omega-3, glutamine, or glutamate; or massage, acupuncture, mind-body practice, yoga, meditation, Tai-Chi, physical activity, or exercise. Of 1465 publications screened, 12 RCTs evaluated natural products and one evaluated electroacupuncture. Vitamin E may help prevent CIPN. l-Glutamine, goshajinkigan, and omega-3 are also promising. Acetyl-l-carnitine may worsen CIPN and alpha-lipoic acid activity is unknown. Electroacupuncture was not superior to placebo. No RCTs were published regarding other complementary therapies, although some studies mention positive incidental findings. Natural products and complementary therapies deserve further investigation, given the lack of effective CIPN interventions.

Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:

Chemotherapy; Complementary therapies; Dietary supplements; Integrative medicine; Natural products; Peripheral neuropathy; Platinum drugs; Randomized controlled trials

Study Information

Natural products and complementary therapies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review.
Crit Rev Oncol Hematol.
2016 February