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Cancer research

Higher Body Mass Index Linked to Severe Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study conducted by researchers at Kyungpook National University in South Korea has found a correlation between higher body mass index (BMI) and the severity of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients with ovarian cancer. The study, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, retrospectively analyzed data from 42 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who had developed neuropathic symptoms following chemotherapy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that overweight patients showed significantly more severe CIPN, with higher Total Neuropathy Scores (TNS) and earlier symptom onset.
  • The research used the Total Neuropathy Score (TNS), a more objective and comprehensive assessment tool, to evaluate the relationship between being overweight and CIPN.
  • The study was conducted retrospectively at a single tertiary hospital in South Korea from March 2013 to February 2022.
  • Patient characteristics, laboratory findings, and disease-specific TNS were analyzed in the study.
  • The research concluded that further studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and to inform future therapeutic strategies.
  • The study's findings suggest that obesity may be a risk factor for severe CIPN in patients with ovarian cancer.

Statistics:

  • 42 patients were included in the study, all of whom had epithelial ovarian cancer and had developed neuropathic symptoms following chemotherapy.
  • The study found that overweight patients had higher Total Neuropathy Scores (TNS), with a statistically significant difference of 0.019.
  • The study also found that overweight patients had earlier symptom onset, with a median time to symptom onset of 3.5 months (range 1-6 months).
  • The study was conducted retrospectively over a 9-year period, from March 2013 to February 2022.

Sources:

  • Journal of Clinical Medicine, Volume 14, Issue 13, 2025, Pages 4485, DOI: 10.3390/jcm14134485
  • NewsRx. Kyungpook National University Reports Findings in Ovarian Cancer (Higher Body Mass Index Is Related to Severe Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Ovarian Cancer: A Preliminary Retrospective Study). Chemicals & Chemistry. August 1, 2025; p 1672.

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