Investigating the Effect of Zinc on the Prevention of Acute Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Patients Treated with Taxanes.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major complication of many chemotherapeutic agents, including taxanes. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of zinc on CIPN.

Materials And Methods: This is a double-blinded controlled clinical trial that was performed in 2020-2021 in Isfahan on 55 cancer patients. We collected the data regarding CIPN, its severity, presence of abnormal deep-tendon reflexes, paresthesia, restriction in daily activities, and restriction in self-care and pain. Patients were divided into two groups: Patients in the first group were treated with capsules of zinc sulfate 25 mg daily and the control group received placebo. The duration of treatments was 3 months. Patients were visited 6, 9, and 12 weeks after study initiation.

Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of CIPN in the intervention group (37.03% vs. 14.8%, < 0.001). The evaluation of the severity of neuropathy and presence of abnormal deep-tendon reflexes also demonstrated significant decrease in the intervention group during the study ( < 0.001 for both), but no significant changes were observed in the placebo group ( > 0.05). The activity limitations and pain severity improved significantly both in the intervention and placebo groups ( < 0.001 for both groups and items). The intervention group, however, had significantly lower frequencies of activity limitation and lower pain severity within compared to the control group during the study ( < 0.001).

Conclusion: Zinc supplement therapy resulted in reduced frequency and intensity of CIPN in patients undergoing chemotherapy with taxanes.