The Benefit of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is the most common disorder of the peripheral nervous system in adults, and its prevalence increases with age. Estimating its prevalence in the general population is difficult because the documentation of this disease is often poor and insufficient. The available data often focus either on the prevalence in certain subgroups, for example patients with HIV, or cancer induced PN, or on neuropathic pain (NeP), which contributes to the variation [1]. In recent years, chemotherapy-induced neuropathies have also gained importance due to the increasing prevalence of cancer and the use of new chemotherapeutics and targeted agents like platinum derivatives, vinca alkaloids, taxanes, and antibody based drugs [2]. Several treatment options for PN are available, including pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and alternative options [3,4]. Patients suffering from severe and disabling symptoms (e.g. Neuropathic Pain) may require guideline treatments like pregabalin, duloxetine, or gabapentin initially until the symptoms are under control. These medications can symptomatically relieve the pain, but have significant side effects. These treatments are only symptoms control, and do not address the underlying cause [4,5].