Effect of Mirogabalin on Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy Caused by Gemcitabine Plus Nab-paclitaxel Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study

Abstract PurposeGemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel therapy (GnP) is widely used to treat pancreatic cancer (PC), but chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is common. Mirogabalin is a novel drug for treating peripheral neuropathy. We investigated the effects of mirogabalin on CIPN due to GnP.MethodsPatients who had received GnP for PC and had taken mirogabalin for CIPN, were included. Patients completed a questionnaire about their symptoms before and after taking mirogabalin. The outcome was the change in numbness and tingling scores on the patient-reported outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire–Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (EORTC-QLQ-CIPN20), numerical rating scale, and adverse events (AEs).ResultsIncreased numbness and tingling severity (1.84 vs. 1.76; P=0.63) and interference (1.42 vs. 1.44; P=0.80) were not seen in any of the 25 enrolled patients. The scores on the sensory subscale of the EORTC-QLQ-CIPN improved significantly after treatment (17.5 vs. 15.7; P=0.02). AEs occurred in 22 patients (88%), but there were no serious AEs (≥ grade 3).ConclusionsMirogabalin may control the progression of CIPN caused by GnP and significantly improved sensory neuropathy. However, since the incidence of AEs is high, mirogabalin should be used with caution.