Vitamin E neuroprotection for cisplatin neuropathy. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Pace A, Giannarelli D, Galiè E, et al. Neurology. March 2, 2010 vol. 74 no. 9 762-766. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181d5279e Objective: The clinical use of cisplatin chemotherapy is limited by severe peripheral neurotoxicity reported in up to 90% of patients receiving a cumulative dose higher than 300 mg/m2. The present study evaluates the neuroprotective effect of antioxidant supplementation (vitamin E) in patients treated with cisplatin chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 108 patients treated with cisplatin chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive vitamin E supplementation (?-tocopherol 400 mg/day) or placebo. Treatment was started orally before chemotherapy and continued for 3 months after the suspension of cisplatin. Results: Of 108 randomized patients, 68 received at least one clinical and neurophysiologic examination after cisplatin CT; 41 patients received a cumulative dose of cisplatin higher than 300 mg/m2 and were eligible for statistical analysis: 17 in the vitamin E group (group 1) and 24 in the placebo group (group 2). The incidence of neurotoxicity was significantly lower in group 1 (5.9%) than in group 2 (41.7%) (p