• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2023

Objectives: To report the improvement of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and pantalgia with integrative cancer treatment on adverse effects of chemotherapy in a breast cancer patient. Methods: A 63-year-old female patient who has been diagnosed with breast cancer got treated for 103 days with integrative cancer treatment including acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, physiotherapies, hand and foot bath to decrease side effects of chemotherapy. The patient was also treated Western immunotherapies like Thymosin, Viscum album. Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide was applied and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy(CIPN), pantalgia and nausea occured. The efficacy of treatment was measured by a numeric rating scale(NRS) of symptoms, National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event(NCI-CTCAE) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG) Performance Status Scale. Results: The NRS scroes for CIPN, pantalgia, nausea were improved. There was no adverse effects of 3 or higher assessed by the NCI-CTCAE. The ECOG grade improved from grade 2 to 1. Conclusions: This study suggests that integrative cancer treatment could improve CIPN, pantalgia after chemotherapy in breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of electroacupuncture on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer patient. Methods : The patient is a female with chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) who was diagnosed with breast cancer and suffering from paresthesia of extremities after chemotherapy of docetaxel. The patient was treated with electroacupuncture (15 minutes per one time) twice a day for 14 days. The clinical outcomes were measured by Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (PNQ) grade and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results : In this case, PNQ Item 1 (numbness) grade was improved from D to C, Item 2 (weakness) grade was from C to B. The score of upper limbs VAS was decreased from 7 to 2, lower limbs was from 7 to 5 respectively. Edema of both extremities was also improved. Conclusions : This case study suggests that electroacupuncture therapy may have significant effects of CIPN in breast cancer patient.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2010

Background: Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy is a major dose limiting side effect and thus effective therapeutic strategy is required. In this study, we investigated the antinociceptive effect of memantine and morphine on a vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy model in rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 220-240 g were used in all experiments. Rats subsequently received daily intraperitoneal injections of either vincristine sulfate (0.1 ml/kg/day) or saline (0.1 ml/kg/day) over 12 days, immediately following behavioral testing. For assessment of mechanical allodynia, mechanical stimuli using von Frey filament was applied to the paw to measure withdrawal threshold. The effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors antagonist (memantine; 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal), opioid agonist (morphine; 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal) and vehicle (saline) on vicristine-induced neuropathy were evaluated. Results: Mechanical allodynia developed over the course of ten daily injections of vincristine relative to groups receiving saline at the same time. Morphine abolished the reduction in paw withdrawal threshold compared to vehicle and produced dose-responsiveness. Only the highest dose of memantine (10 mg/kg) was able to increase paw withdrawal threshold compared to vehicle. Conclusions: Systemic morphine and memantine have an antinociceptive effect on the vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy model in rats. These results suggest morphine and memantine may be an alternative approach for the treatment of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathic pain.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2014

Objective : This is a case series reporting degree of response to bee venom ointment as a symptom-control therapy for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods : Four consecutive patients with CIPN were referred to the East-West Cancer Center from October 7th, 2013, to November 9th, 2013. Patients with CIPN were treated with bee venom ointment 1-2 times per day for 7-25 days. Visual Analog Score (VAS) pain scale was compared before and after treatment. All patients were closely examined for any allergenic responses following each treatment session. Results : Using each patient as their own comparator, marked improvements of VAS were observed in 4 patients. Most important, there were no related adverse side effects found. Conclusion : Bee venom Ointment may be considered as an complementary therapy for managing CIPN symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.176-184
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• 2018

Purpose: Purpose of this study was to investigate relationships and influence of peripheral neuropathy, sleep, and quality of life in patients with gastric cancer who are receiving chemotherapy. Methods: Participants were 131 patients with gastric cancer being treated at a chemotherapy outpatient clinic and receiving chemotherapy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS program. Results: Mean score for peripheral neuropathy was 24.66, for sleep, 6.71 and for quality of life, 67.69. Peripheral neuropathy had a significant positive correlation with sleep (r=.26, p=.003) and sleep had a significant negative correlation with quality of life (r=-.50, p<.001). The regression model explaining quality of patients'lives was significant (F=11.91, p<.001), peripheral neuropathy, sleep, and pain due to anticancer drugs and number ofneurotoxic anticancer drugs explained 25.1% of the variance in quality of life and sleep was the most important factor. Conclusion: To improve the quality of life for these patients, individualized nursing interventions for pain should be provided according to number of anticancer drugs in the chemotherapy. Also there is a need to identify ways to assess peripheral neuropathy and sleep disorders that are appropriate in the treatment and reduce side effects during treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.451-459
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of modified Guibi-tang in a patient suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: A 54-year-old Korean female patient diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer had CIPN with other symptoms, such as anorexia, dyspepsia, insomnia, etc. She was diagnosed with Simbiyangheo and hence treated with a modified Guibi-tang. Neuropathic symptoms were assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS) and a sensory score. Quality of life was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx). Results: After 14 days of treatment, the patients showed a decrease in NRS for bilateral limb pain and improvement in other symptoms, such as general weakness, insomnia, dizziness, and headache. Quality of life also increased. Conclusion: Modified Guibi-tang may be considered an optional treatment for CIPN if the patient is diagnosed with Simbiyangheo. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.254-262
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the quality of life in colorectal cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Methods: A total of 93 patients were recruited in the cross-sectional survey design. Quality of life in colorectal cancer patients were measured by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C30 and CIPN20. Results: In the QLQ C30, the mean score of the global health status was 59.41, the functional scale was 73.29 and symptom scale was 26.72. In CIPN20, the mean score of sensory scale was 32.70, autonomic scale was 22.88 and motor scale was 16.12. In the QLQ C30, the global health status showed significant differences according to surgery (p=.027) and the functional scale, and the symptom scale showed significant differences according to gender (p=.046, p=.020) and nonpharmacologic intervention (p=.001, p=.009). The CIPN20, the sensory scale showed significant differences according to age (p=.006), DM (p=.005), grade of CIPN (p=<.001) the status of chemotherapy (p=.001) and nonpharmacologic intervention (p=.010). Conclusion: The level of quality of life in colorectal cancer patients with peripheral neuropathy was relatively low. There is a need for developing a nursing intervention for colorectal cancer patients to improve their quality of life and to decrease chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most common dose-limiting side effects of neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agents that lead to decreased quality of life and dose reduction, delay or even cessation of treatment. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the effect and the underlying mechanisms of bee venom (BV) pharmacopuncture therapy for CIPN in animal models. We searched for the available experimental literature using BV for CIPN through the Pubmed databases. Ten experimental studies were finally included in this review. In the oxaliplatin or paclitaxel-induced CIPN animal model, BV significantly relieved pain caused both mechanical and cold stimulation. It was suggested that the effect of BV is mediated by the stimulation effect of spinal α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors as a potential mechanism. In the future, more experimental studies are needed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.356-366
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• 2012

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) involving sensory and motor nerve damage or dysfunction is a common and serious clinical problem that affects many patients receiving cancer treatment. This condition may pose challenges for the clinician to diagnose and manage, particularly in patients with coexisting conditions or disorders that involve the peripheral nervous system. Many chemotherapeutic agents used today are associated with the development of serious and dose-limiting CIPN that can adversely affect the administration of planned therapy and can impair quality of life by interference with the patients' activities of daily living. The most important clinical objective in the evaluation of patients with CIPN is to determine their level of functional impairment involving activities of daily living. These findings are used to make medical decisions to continue, modify, delay, or stop treatment. The most commonly reported drugs to cause CIPN include taxanes, platinum agents, vinca alkaloids, thalidomide, and bortezomib. We aimed to determine PN incidence during cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin administration. Methods: We collected data from 125 patients who received at least one cycle of cisplatin, carboplatin or oxaliplatin. They completed a self-reported questionnaire and items related to their disease and peripheral neuropathy. The investigators filled in part of items about disease and treatment. Patient Neurotoxicity Qeustionnaire developed by Bionumerik company were applied for PN assessment. Results: The incidences of sensory neurotoxicities of cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin were respectively 23%, 56% and 50%. The incidences of motor neurotoxicities of cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin were respectively 18%, 42% and 19%. The incidences of severe neurotoxicities of cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin were respectively 13%, 28% and 14%. The incidences of PN were associated with cumulative dose but not age, gender and concurrent illness. 19.2% of the patients (24/125) were prescribed with gabapentin, nortriptyline or gabapentin plus nortriptyline to reduce these peripheral symptoms and 75% of the patients answered the drug were effective. Conclusion: Incidence of PN after cisplatin or oxaliplatin administration is cumulative dose-related. Physician-based assessments under-reported the incidence and severity of CIPN. To overcome this limitation, diagnostic tools specifically designed to assess peripheral neuropathy severity associated with chemotherapy must be developed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.350-361
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to report the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: The articles were sourced from databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, CiNii, WHO ICTRP, JSOM, KMBASE, KISS, NDSL, and OASIS as of July 2019. The main search keywords were peripheral neuropathy and acupuncture, and only randomized controlled trials using acupuncture for therapeutic purposes were included. Cochrane's risk of bias was used to assess the risk of bias, and the Review Manager 5.3 program was used for meta-analysis. Results: Six studies with a total 394 participants were included. When combined treatment of acupuncture and usual care was compared with usual care alone, quality of life improved more significantly in the combination treatment group (SMD=-2.71, 95% CI: -5.01 to -0.41, P=0.02, I²=97%). The CIPN pain score was lower among the combination treatment group, but not to a significant degree (SMD=-2.55, 95% CI: -5.14 to 0.04, P<0.05, I²=98%). There were no severe side effects in any studies. Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with usual care may be considered to safely relieve CIPN pain and improve quality of life for cancer patients. However, as there are few randomized controlled trials studying the effect of acupuncture on CIPN, further well-designed research is needed.