Longitudinal Evaluation of Taxane Induced Neuropathy in Early Stage Breast Cancer

Longitudinal Evaluation of Taxane Induced Neuropathy in Early Stage Breast Cancer

Longitudinal Evaluation of Taxane induced neuropathy in early stage breast cancer.

A study assessing the feasibility of evaluating neuropathy symptoms prospectively using testing of gate and balance parameters.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients (men and women) diagnosed with breast cancer stages I-III initiating first line adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy with paclitaxel or docetaxel
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
• Patients with functional limitations due to musculoskeletal conditions can be included, because these conditions are known to remain stable over the relatively short duration of the study.
• Concurrent standard and investigational agents are permissible with the standard chemotherapy drugs.

Exclusion Criteria

• Prior known chemotherapy or targeted therapy (for breast cancer or other malignancies that is known to be associated with neuropathy in the last 12 months(platinum therapy, bortezomib, vinblastine, etc.)
• Prior taxane exposure at any time
• Preexisting known diagnosis of any type of neuropathy prior to start of paclitaxel or docetaxel chemotherapy
• Pregnant or nursing women.
• Unable to give informed consent.
• Preexisting lower extremity amputation
• Inability to walk or stand without assistance due to any condition
• Neuropathic pain medications prior to start of study including gabapentin, pregabalin, amytriptyline, and duloxetine (but initiation of neuropathic pain medications during treatment are permissible)
• Patients needing ambulatory assist devices
• Back or lower extremity surgery in the last 6 months
• Back or lower extremity surgery at any timepoint that interferes with gait and balance per patient or provider report