Vitamin B6 may reduce neuropathyVitamin B6 status and chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a prospective cohort study among patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.
Highly relevant within chemotherapy context
We focused on understanding how vitamin B6 influences chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a long-lasting side effect experienced by patients undergoing oxaliplatin-based treatment for non-metastatic colorectal cancer. Our study included 242 patients who provided blood samples at multiple points—before starting chemotherapy, during it, and after completing treatment.
We measured several vitamin B6 markers in the blood and examined their connection to the occurrence and severity of chronic CIPN a year post-diagnosis. Our findings revealed that while normal levels of a particular form of vitamin B6 were present, those with higher levels during chemotherapy reported lower instances and reduced severity of CIPN symptoms. This suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin B6 levels may be beneficial for patients facing chemotherapy-related nerve issues.
Still, it’s important to approach these results cautiously. More research is needed to firmly establish a cause-and-effect relationship and to determine the optimal vitamin B6 levels for patients undergoing chemotherapy. This insight could pave the way for better management of neuropathy among cancer patients in the future.
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