EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF CRYOTHERAPY IN THE PREVENTION OF CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS TREATED WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cryotherapy in preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods: A self-controlled interventional clinical study was conducted on 30 female breast cancer patients treated at the Oncology Center, Military Hospital 103, from October 2024 to May 2025. Cryotherapy was applied to the left hand and foot, while the right hand and foot received no intervention and served as controls. Peripheral neuropathy was assessed at baseline, at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after chemotherapy initiation, and 3 months after completion using the common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) and the patient neurotoxicity questionnaire (PNQ). Results: The mean age was 54 ± 8.1 years. On the non-intervention side, the incidence of CIPN of grade ≥ 2 by CTCAE was 56.7%, and CIPN of grade ≥ C by PNQ was 60%. On the intervention side, the corresponding rates were 23.3%, with absolute reductions of -33.3% (CTCAE) and -36.7% (PNQ), both statistically significant (p < 0.05). No severe complications were reported; the most common side effect was transient distal paresthesia. Conclusion: Cryotherapy demonstrated high efficacy and a favorable safety profile in the prevention of taxane-induced CIPN in breast cancer patients.
Keywords
Cryotherapy, Peripheral neuropathy, Breast cancer, Chemotherapy
Article Details
References
2. Maihöfner C, et al. Chemotherapy- induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): Current therapies and topical treatment option with high-concentration capsaicin. Support Care Cancer. 2021; 29(8):4223-4238.
3. Huỳnh Thị Thanh Giang và CS. Nghiên cứu đặc điểm ung thư vú giai đoạn sớm điều trị nội tiết tại Bệnh viện Quân y 175. Tạp chí Y Dược học Việt Nam. 2023.
4. Lixian S, et al. Risk factors of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast cancer: A prospective cohort study. Front Oncol. 2024; 14:1327318.
5. Julia Cipriano M. Cryotherapy with taxane infusion strategy for preventing peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer. 2025.
6. Michel L, et al. 1552O Chemotherapy- induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) prevention trial evaluating the efficacy of hand-cooling and compression in patients undergoing taxan-based (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy for primary breast cancer: First results of the prospective, randomized POLAR trial. Annals of Oncology. 2022; 33:S1257-S1258.
7. Hanai A, Ishiguro H, Sozu T, Tsuda M, Yano I, Nakagawa T, Imai S, Hamabe Y, Toi M, Arai H, Tsuboyama T. Effects of cryotherapy on objective and subjective symptoms of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy: Prospective self-controlled trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018 Feb 1; 110(2):141-148. DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djx178. PMID: 29924336; PMCID: PMC6007752.
8. Sphar BG, Bowe C, Dains JE. The impact of peripheral cooling on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: An integrative review. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2020 Nov-Dec; 11(8):845-857. DOI: 10.6004/jadpro. 2020.11.8.5. Epub 2020 Nov 1. PMID: 33489425; PMCID: PMC7810270.
9. Shigematsu H, et al. Cryotherapy for the prevention of weekly paclitaxel-induced peripheral adverse events in breast cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. 2020; 28(10):5005-5011.
10. Loprinzi CL, et al. Prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in survivors of adult cancers: ASCO guideline update. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2020; 38(28):3325-3348.