A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials reported on June 18, 2021 in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism found a significant reduction in the risk of developing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in cancer patients who received vitamin E in comparison with a placebo.*

CIPN is characterized by severe pain and deterioration of function of the peripheral nervous system. It’s not uncommon, either. The condition often necessitates a reduction in the dose of chemotherapy that can be used. “Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents,” wrote authors Huikai Miao of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and colleagues. “The incidence of this disabling pain reaches up to 68% in the short term when receiving chemotherapy.”

Studies have indicated that reactive oxygen species (a type of free radical) are a cause of CIPN, which suggests that antioxidants such as vitamin E may be protective.

For their analysis, Dr. Miao’s team selected eight randomized, controlled trials that included a total of 488 cancer patients. Doses of 300, 400 or 600 milligrams (mg) vitamin E or a placebo were administered in conjunction with cisplatin, paclitaxel and/or other chemotherapies beginning as early as the initiation of chemotherapy and continuing up to three months following its cessation.

Results:

• Pooled analysis of data found an 18% lower risk of CIPN in association with vitamin E intake compared to the placebo.
• When trials that administered 600 mg per day vitamin E were examined, a 69% lower risk of CIPN was revealed among vitamin E-treated participants in comparison with placebo-treated patients.
• Subsequent analysis according to type of chemotherapy found a risk of peripheral neuropathy that was 72% lower than that experienced by the placebo group among cisplatin-treated individuals who received vitamin E.

Analysis of data from two studies that reported sural amplitude, which is used to evaluate peripheral neuropathy severity, found significant improvement after three rounds of chemotherapy in patients who took vitamin E in comparison with a placebo. Another indicator of severity, known as median amplitude, was assessed in two studies and found to be improved in treated patients.

“Available data in this meta-analysis showed that vitamin E…can confer modest improvement in the prevention of CIPN,” the authors concluded. “Vitamin E…as the standard of care for prevention of CIPN is moderately recommended in our study.”

*Miao H et al. Ann Nutr Metab. 2021 Jun 18;1-11.