Abstract
Biologically targeted agents offer the promise of delivering specific anticancer effects
while limiting damage to healthy tissue, including the central and peripheral nervous
systems. During the past 5-10 years, these agents were examined in preclinical and
adult clinical trials, and are used with increasing frequency in children with cancer.
This review evaluates current knowledge about neurotoxicity from biologically targeted
anticancer agents, particularly those in pediatric clinical trials. For each drug,
neurotoxicity data are reviewed in adult (particularly studies of brain tumors) and
pediatric studies when available. Overall, these agents are well tolerated, with few
serious neurotoxic effects. Data from younger patients are limited, and more neurotoxicity
may occur in the pediatric population because these agents target pathways that control
not only tumorigenesis but also neural maturation. Further investigation is needed
into long-term neurologic effects, particularly in children.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 10,
2012
Received:
August 9,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
