Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have developed an innovative tool designed to predict the likelihood of nerve damage in women undergoing breast cancer treatment with taxanes, a class of chemotherapy drugs. The new tool could help doctors tailor treatments to minimize the risk of persistent side effects.
While survival rates for breast cancer have improved, many patients continue to endure long-term side effects from their treatments. Taxanes, specifically docetaxel and paclitaxel, are commonly used to prevent cancer recurrence but can lead to nerve damage, known as peripheral neuropathy. In a recent study, the team at Linköping University assessed the side effects of these drugs in 337 patients who had been treated between two and six years prior. Patients reported a range of symptoms, including foot cramps, numbness, tingling, and difficulties with everyday tasks like opening jars and climbing stairs.
The researchers analyzed the genetic data of these patients and created models to link genetic markers to the likelihood of experiencing nerve damage. The prediction model, a novel approach for taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy, successfully categorized patients into high-risk and normal-risk groups for persistent side effects. Two-thirds of the data was used to develop the models using machine learning, while the remaining third validated their accuracy, proving the models to be effective.
Henrik Gréen, a professor at Linköping University and lead author of the study published in npj Precision Oncology said, “This is the first prediction model for taxane-related nerve damage, addressing a major issue for a large group of women worldwide who receive taxane treatment”.
Kristina Engvall emphasized the potential for personalized treatment by mentioning, “We are now proficient at treating breast cancer, so it’s crucial to consider the long-term risks and complications that patients may face”.
As reported by news-medical.net, in the future, this prediction model could become a standard part of healthcare practices, though further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in diverse populations beyond the Swedish cohort.
Additionally, the study found that some symptoms, like difficulties with tasks involving both motor and sensory nerves, were too complex to predict accurately with the current models. The study received funding from the Swedish Cancer Society, ALF funding, the Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden (FORSS), and Futurum in Region Jönköping.