Electrophysiologic Patterns of Symptomatic Vincristine-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is one of the most common cancers in children. Multi-drug chemotherapy is used for treatment, and the representative drug is vincristine. Although various side effects may occur due to vincristine, the association with peripheral neuropathy is high compared to that of other drugs. This study focused on children under the age of 18 years of age with ALL who received chemotherapy containing vincristine. We retrospectively analyzed the results of a nerve conduction study and a cumulative dose of vincristine in 30 children diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. The average cumulative dose until diagnosis of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy was 14.99 ± 1.21 mg/m2, and motor nerves were predominantly involved. Additionally, a marked decrease in average amplitude was also observed in motor nerves. In addition, when the relationship between the incidence of peripheral neuropathy and the cumulative dose was analyzed through the survival curve, about 50% of children developed peripheral neuropathy at a dose of 15.5 ± 1.77 mg/m2. Based on the electrophysiological characteristics of pediatric vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy, as well as the relationship between the incidence rate and the cumulative dose, it is possible to observe more closely the vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy occurrence in children with ALL at an appropriate time.