Preventing taxane-related peripheral neuropathy, pain and nail toxicity: a prospective self-controlled trial comparing hilotherapy with frozen gloves in early breast cancer

Purpose The prevention of taxane-related toxicities at the extremities is highly important for patients’ treatment and quality-of-life. Several studies endorse hand/foot-cooling using frozen gloves as a prophylactic intervention. Unlike frozen gloves, hilotherapy produces cooling at a constant temperature. Comparative data with frozen gloves are unavailable. Methods This prospective self-controlled study explores the efficacy of hilotherapy at the right hand and foot compared to frozen gloves at the left in patients with early breast cancer treated with weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m 2 or three-weekly docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 . Patient-reported outcomes were collected at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks after the start of treatment. Primary and secondary endpoints were the incidence of any-grade and ≥ grade 2 side-effects (peripheral neuropathy, pain and nail toxicities), and perceived comfort of both interventions. Results Sixty-two patients participated. The incidence of any-grade side-effects was similar on both sides, 85.5% with hilotherapy and 90.3% with frozen gloves ( p = 1.000). The incidence of ≥ grade 2 side-effects at the extremities was significantly lower with hilotherapy: 43.6% compared to 61.3% with frozen gloves ( p = 0.013). Perceived comfort was significantly better for hilotherapy than for frozen gloves ( p < 0.0001). Conclusions Compared to frozen gloves, continuous cooling of hands and feet using hilotherapy produces better prevention of ≥ grade 2 patient-reported side-effects at the extremities (peripheral neuropathy, pain and nail toxicities). Perceived comfort was significantly better for hilotherapy. From a clinical and patient perspective, hilotherapy is a better alternative for preventing clinically significant taxane-related side-effects.