Effects of memantine in prophylaxis of taxanes induced neuropathy in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy is one of the complications of taxanes which is usually dose-dependent and progressive and in severe cases, can lead to dose reduction, change in chemotherapy protocols or termination of treatment. Neuropathy can lead to significant changes in a person's quality of life and performance in daily activities. Objective: To evaluate the effects of memantine in the prevention of docetaxel induced neuropathy in patients with breast cancer. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial in which 40 women with non-metastatic breast cancer, treated with AC-T, who were receiving docetaxel, were chosen after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The subjects in the intervention group, starting with docetaxel, first took memantine at a dose of 5 mg for three days, then at a dose of 10 mg for three days, then at a dose of 15 mg for three days, and finally They received a dose of 20 mg for 8 weeks and the control group did not take any medication. To monitor patients, DN4 and CTCAE questionnaires were used in 4 stages, ie before the start of the study, 1 month, 3 month and 6 month after the intervention. Results: Based on the data obtained from the score variable of the questionnaires in the control and intervention group and its intra group study and with P <0.05, it was found that the administration of memantine in the intervention group caused a significant difference in the score of the DN4 questionnaire in the first month study (p-value: 0.033) and the third month (p-value: <0.001) between the control and intervention groups. Conclusion: The administration of memantine has been effective in preventing neuropathy caused by docetaxel.