Neurotoxicity associated with a regimen of carboplatin (AUC 5–6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m² over 3 h) employed in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies

Abstract

While the combination chemotherapy regimen of carboplatin (AUC 5–6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m² over 3 h) is widely employed in the treatment of ovarian cancer, there are limited data available in the oncologic literature regarding the neurotoxic potential of the program. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of 87 patients treated in the Gynecologic Cancer Program of the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center to address this important clinical issue. The overall incidence of peripheral neuropathy in this population was 25%, with 13% of women experiencing symptoms ≥grade 2 in severity. We conclude that while neurotoxicity is common following the use of this regimen, significant neurological dysfunction (≥grade 2) is relatively infrequent.