Association Of Disregulated Neuronal And Peripheral Bdnf With Vulnerability To Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

1023 Background: Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is important for neuronal survival and repair. We hypothesized that a disregulated neuronal and peripheral BDNF may enhance vulnerability to Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (PIPN). Methods: 21 women with breast cancer were examined for peripheral neuropathy at baseline and during paclitaxel treatment, using the Total Neuropathy Score (TNSr) and the neurotoxicity subscale; Fact/GOG-NTx. Allelic discrimination of val66met BDNF polymorphism, which is reported to cause a deficit in the cellular distribution and regulated secretion of neuronal BDNF, was done by PCR and DNA sequencing. Peripheral BDNF was studied by analyzing the delta between the BDNF protein levels at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment in each patient as was measured by ELISA. Results: Seven of the patients (33.3%) had TNSr ≥ 2 at baseline and identified to have pre-existing peripheral neuropathy (PEX-PN). The remaining 14 patients (66.7%) were identified as non-pre-exist...