Impact of paclitaxel versus docetaxel on neuropathy in ovarian cancer patients with diabetes.

Abstract

e17616 Background: Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of taxanes, particularly in diabetic patients, which can significantly affect quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in the incidence of new or worsening neuropathy between diabetic patients with ovarian cancer who received paclitaxel versus docetaxel as part of their primary therapy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included ovarian cancer patients with Type I or Type II diabetes at a large academic institution who underwent surgery from 6/2016 to 5/2020 and received neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. Individual chart review was performed to assess patient characteristics including race, body mass index (BMI), performance status (PS), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), baseline hemoglobin A1c, current diabetic medications. The primary outcome was incidence of new or worsening neuropathy during primary therapy including adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. New neuropathy was defined as no neuropathy prior to chemotherapy. Worsening neuropathy was defined as baseline neuropathy that worsened after initiation of chemotherapy. Secondary outcomes included chemotherapy treatment delay, increase of diabetic medications during therapy, and a change of chemotherapy regimen from paclitaxel to docetaxel. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v. 26. Results: 32 patients met inclusion criteria. Patient demographics including race, PS, BMI and CCI were similar between patients who received paclitaxel and those who received docetaxel. 24 patients (75%) received paclitaxel and 8 (25%) received docetaxel. The majority (93.8%) of patients had Type II diabetes. Patients who received paclitaxel were more likely to develop new or worsening neuropathy (81% v. 50%; p = 0.028) but less likely to require an increase of diabetic medications (0% v. 50%; p = 0.003) compared with patients receiving docetaxel. During primary therapy, 17% of patients were transitioned from paclitaxel to docetaxel due to treatment-related complications (i.e. neuropathy (50%), allergic reaction (50%)). There was no difference in incidence of treatment delays between the two treatment groups (25% v. 25%; p = 1.0). Conclusions: Patients with ovarian cancer who received paclitaxel were more likely to experience new or worsening neuropathy compared to patients who received docetaxel. There was no difference in treatment delays between the groups, but nearly one-fifth of patients receiving paclitaxel had to be transitioned to docetaxel because of treatment-related complications. Because of fewer side-effects, docetaxel is a reasonable chemotherapy alternative in ovarian cancer patients with diabetes.