Bosnjak, et al. (2002). Gabapentin for relief of neuropathic pain related to anticancer treatment: a preliminary study

[Wise Young]

Bosnjak S, Jelic S, Susnjar S and Luki V (2002). Gabapentin for relief of neuropathic pain related to anticancer treatment: a preliminary study. J Chemother. 14 (2): 214-9. Summary: The aim of our study was to explore a potential analgesic effect of gabapentin in patients with neuropathic pain caused by anticancer treatment. A total of 23 outpatients without active disease and with chronic, treatment-related pain were included in this single-center, open-label, exploratory, non-controlled study. The primary end-points were pain intensity and pain relief following a 4-week treatment period. A total of 15 patients (65%) completed the study, 5 (22%) discontinued the study due to treatment failure and 3 (13%) due to toxicity. More than 50% reduction in pain intensity was obtained in 11 of 23 patients (48%, 95% CI 30-66%). Pain relief increased from 8.33% (+/- 13.64) to 66.58% (+/- 18.35) (p <0.01). Somnolence, mental clouding, and headache were the most frequently reported adverse events. We concluded that gabapentin should be accepted for further investigation in this important setting of supportive care. Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Yugoslavia. bosnjaks@ncrc.ac.yu