Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Children Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Role for Oxidative Stress and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

The toxicity of chemotherapy agents to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) often manifests itself as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Given the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) and oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of peripheral neuropathy in different neurological diseases, the present study examined the possible interaction between these factors in the pathomechanism of CIPN in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) children. Forty children (3–14 years old) with ALL entered this study. Patients with or without presentation of CIPN symptoms were assigned to experimental and control groups, respectively. Following blood sampling, the serum level of BDNF and oxidative stress indices (catalase activity (CAT), super oxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA)) were evaluated using biochemical assessment by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Although our results showed that compared to the control group, there were a significant decrease in the serum level of BDNF and a significant increase in the serum level of SOD and MDA in the experimental group, no significant correlation was observed between BDNF and oxidative stress factors. In addition, the mean serum level of BDNF and oxidative stress factors did not show any significant difference between both genders in the experimental and control groups. Therefore, given the role of serum changes of BDNF and oxidative stress factors in the occurrence of CINP, the use of neurotrophic factors and antioxidants in the chemotherapy process should be taken into account in future studies.