Neurotoxicity of Cisplatin as Monotherapy or Combined Chemotherapy in Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: The main toxicity of cisplatin is nephrotoxicity, but more and more studies have highlighted and unveiled the mechanisms of cisplatin toxicity, and the neurotoxicity has been standing out. Objective: We aimed to bring together the main studies that highlight the neurotoxicity of cisplatin in the treatment of cancer patients. Methods: We performed a literature review using the keywords “Neurotoxicity”, “Cisplatin”, “Oncology Therapy”, and “Chemotherapy” in the SciELO, PubMed, Sciencedirect, MEDLINE, Scifinder, and CAplus databases. Results: We selected 60 articles published between 1983 and 2021 that report the mechanisms of cisplatin toxicity or which provide clinical data on the neurotoxicity profile of cisplatin as monotherapy and as a combination therapy, highlighting that one of the main neurotoxicity of cisplatin is in the development of peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion: Cisplatin is neurotoxic and can induce the development of peripheral neuropathy and the combination with neurotoxic drugs such as paclitaxel and vincristine only contributes to the increase in neurological toxicity. Thus, we emphasize the importance of evaluating the neurotoxicity of cisplatin, especially in patients who use protocols that contain other antineoplastic agents that are also neurotoxic.