This section provides a quick update of symptomatic conditions in oncology and their management. Readers are invited to submit brief updates following the guidelines at www.JHOPonline.com.
Symptom Overview
The taxanes (eg, docetaxel and paclitaxel) are important components of chemotherapeutic regimens for a variety of cancers, including breast, genitourinary, gynecologic, and lung malignancies. Taxanes are among the most frequently used chemotherapeutic agents for curative and palliative intent. Toxicities often attributed to the taxanes include myelosuppression, hypersensitivity, fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbances (ie, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea), alopecia and other dermatologic toxicities, and peripheral neuropathy or neuropathic pain.1,2
Acute pain associated with taxane therapy is referred to as taxane acute pain syndrome (TAPS), paclitaxel-associated acute pain syndrome, or taxane-induced myalgia–arthralgia syndrome; it is a distinct entity from the well-described neurotoxicity associated with taxanes.3-5 TAPS is generally characterized as diffuse, achy myalgias and/or arthralgias that present within 24 to 48 hours of taxane administration, and may last for up to 7 days.3-8 There are no clear definitions or standard tools for assessing TAPS, which results in a wide variation of its incidence in the published literature.
TAPS has been described in up to 86% of patients according to 1 systematic review, and it may be more common with paclitaxel than with docetaxel or with nab-paclitaxel.5 In this systematic review, the incidence of TAPS varied between taxanes; paclitaxel, median, 13.1% (range, 0.9%-86%); docetaxel, median, 10.5% (range, 3.6%-70%); and nab-paclitaxel, median, 26% (range, 14%-43%).
The dosing schedule may also affect the incidence of TAPS with the use of paclitaxel, with every-3-weeks administration resulting in higher rates of TAPS compared with weekly dosing (median incidence, 52.7% vs 17.6%, respectively).5
The risk factors are not well-established, but some reports have associated TAPS with increased single doses, higher peak drug levels, greater body surface area, concomitant medications (eg, granulocyte colony-stimulating factors), treatment for breast cancer, and treatment in the metastatic setting.3-5,8,9
TAPS may be debilitating in a subset of patients, affecting quality of life and requiring therapy modification (eg, chemotherapy dose interruptions, reductions, or discontinuation).4,7 Modifying the dosing schedule (eg, switching from every 3 weeks to weekly paclitaxel) or changing to a drug associated with less myalgia or arthralgia may also be considered if alternative effective chemotherapy drugs are available for the specific cancer type. In addition, pharmacologic intervention may be required.4,7
A single-center, retrospective pilot study showed that 43% of patients who received a sequential anthracycline-based and taxane-based chemotherapy regimen for early-stage breast cancer had pain requiring management with narcotics.10
Etiology
The etiology of TAPS has not been fully elucidated, but proposed mechanisms include inflammation,11 peripheral nerve toxicity (direct or secondary as a result of inflammation) with nociceptor sensitization and resultant hyperalgesia,3,4,6 and immune system activation.3 TAPS differs from taxane-induced neuropathic pain in several ways, including being an acute toxicity, noncumulative, and generally being transient and short-lived.3-5 However, some reports have identified that TAPS may precede and predispose peripheral neuropathy.4,5
Treatment Options
A variety of pharmacologic agents have been reported as potential options for the treatment or secondary prevention of TAPS, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, antiepileptics (ie, gabapentin and pregabalin), glutamine, and Shakuyaku-kanzo-to (Japanese herb).3-12 The majority of published reports are retrospective, case reports, or case series; the only published study that was placebo-controlled and double-blinded investigated glutamine for the prevention of TAPS, showing no benefit compared with placebo.12
Selected interventions, with specific drugs, drug classes, and dosing, for TAPS are highlighted in the Table. Given the paucity of data, variation in reporting, inconclusive results, and lack of prospective studies, the effective management of TAPS remains unclear, and no standard treatment is currently available.
At the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Breast Cancer, in Boston, patients beginning taxane-based chemotherapy are counseled about the potential for TAPS. Patients are instructed to report any myalgias or arthralgias after taxane administration. We encourage patients to use an NSAID (eg, ibuprofen 400-800 mg orally every 6-8 hours, as needed for pain) in the absence of contraindications. In cases of inadequate response to an NSAID therapy, the short-term use of an opioid, such as oxycodone, is considered as an adjunct to the NSAID.
Secondary prevention of TAPS with a corticosteroid (eg, dexamethasone 4 mg daily for 3-5 days) is considered for subsequent treatments with taxane-based chemotherapy, depending on the patient’s comorbidities. In addition, the use of a nonsedating antihistamine (eg, loratadine 10 mg daily for 3-5 days) may be of benefit in the secondary prevention of TAPS. Loratadine is an attractive option, because it is generally well-tolerated and can avoid the toxicities associated with NSAIDs (eg, gastrointestinal distress, renal damage, bleeding) and corticosteroids (eg, gastrointestinal distress, hypertension, hyperglycemia, irritability).
The Figure outlines strategies frequently used for the treatment and secondary prevention of TAPS at the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Breast Cancer.
Conclusion
TAPS is a common early toxicity associated with taxane-based chemotherapy. It may affect the patient’s quality of life, resulting in chemotherapy treatment modification and/or the need for pharmacologic interventions. Currently no “gold standard” treatment is available for TAPS; however, symptomatic treatment with NSAIDs, opioids, and corticosteroids are common interventions. The use of antiepileptics, such as gabapentin or pregabalin, is an intriguing treatment option, because TAPS may be related to sensory nerve toxicity. Effective management of TAPS is paramount for optimizing the oncologic treatment of patients who receive taxanes, particularly in light of the suggested association between TAPS and the subsequent event of taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy. Further studies are needed to identify optimal assessment and treatment strategies for TAPS.
Author Disclosure Statement
Dr Zangardi has no conflicts of interest to report.
References
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