Background: Paclitaxel treatment produces dose-limiting peripheral neurotoxicity, which adversely affects treatment and long-term outcomes. In the present study, the contribution of genetic polymorphisms to paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity were assessed in 21 patients, focusing on polymorphisms involved in the tau-microtubule pathway, an important target of paclitaxel involved in neurotoxicity development.
Methods: Polymorphisms in the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) gene (haplotype 1 and rs242557 polymorphism) and the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) gene (rs6438552 polymorphism) were investigated. Neurotoxicity was assessed using neuropathy grading scales, neurophysiological studies and patient questionnaires.
Results: A significant relationship between the GSK-3B rs6438552 polymorphism and paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity was evident.
Conclusions: Polymorphisms in tau-associated genes may contribute to the development of paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity, although larger series will be necessary to confirm these findings.