1. Neurofilament light chain as a biomarker of axonal damage in sensory neurons and paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with ovarian cancer.
- Author
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Mortensen, Christina, Steffensen, Karina Dahl, Simonsen, Emma, Herskind, Kamille, Madsen, Jonna Skov, Olsen, Dorte Aalund, Iversen, Ditte Bork, Bergmann, Troels Korshøj, Pottegård, Anton, and Stage, Tore Bjerregaard
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SENSORY neurons , *PERIPHERAL neuropathy , *OVARIAN cancer , *CANCER patients , *CYTOPLASMIC filaments , *BIOMARKERS - Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Neurofilament light chain is an objective biomarker that reflects axonal damage in sensory neurons and might predict risk of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with cancer. Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a barrier to effective cancer treatment and impacts quality of life among patients with cancer. We used a translational approach to assess the utility of neurofilament light chain (NFL) as a biomarker of PIPN in a human cell model and in patients with ovarian cancer. We measured NFL in medium from human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived sensory neurons (iPSC-SNs) exposed to paclitaxel. Serum NFL (sNFL) levels were quantified in 190 patients with ovarian cancer receiving paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy at baseline and after each of the following 2 or 6 cycles. Adverse outcomes related to PIPN were retrospectively obtained, and Cox regression model was performed with different sNFL cut-offs after first cycle. The apparent elimination half-life of sNFL was estimated in patients who discontinued paclitaxel. Paclitaxel neurotoxicity in iPSC-SNs was accompanied by NFL release in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.001, analysis of variance). Serum NFL levels increased substantially in patients during paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy with considerable interindividual variability. Patients with sNFL >150 pg/mL after first cycle had increased risk to discontinue paclitaxel early (unadjusted HR: 2.47 [95% CI 1.16-5.22], adjusted HR: 2.25 [95% CI: 0.88-5.79]). Similar trends were shown for risk of severe PIPN and paclitaxel dose reduction because of PIPN. The median elimination half-life of sNFL was 43 days (IQR 27-82 days). Neurofilament light chain constitutes an objective biomarker of neurotoxicity in iPSC-SNs and in ovarian cancer patients with high sNFL predicting PIPN-related adverse outcomes. If prospectively validated, NFL can be used to study PIPN and may guide clinical decision making and personalize treatment with paclitaxel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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