The use of chemotherapeutic agents to treat cancersis associated with several adverse effects, one of the debilitating and often dose-limiting side effect is peripheral neuropathy, manifested with different clinical signs and symptoms. Most common being sensory neuropathy, followed by motor; presenting with loss of sensation, paraesthesia in the limbs, motor symptoms like weakness in the limbs, difficulty in walking, difficulty in carrying out fine motor movements; the effect on autonomic nerves have not been studied in detail. Numerous mechanisms are proposed by different researchers to explain the basis of neuropathy associated with the use of anti-cancer drugs. The chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) often requires dose-reduction and drug withdrawal, hampering the effectiveness of the drug and compromising survival outcomes. Various life modification strategies like mindfulness, exercise, occupational therapy etc. are being used to reduce the intensity of side effects and to tolerate the drugs better. In addition, various neuroprotective agents have been tried as adjunct therapy but according to published systematic reviews and meta-analysis, none of these agents have robustly proven their efficacy in treating CIPN. Anti-oxidants, anti-convulsants, anti-depressants, calcium and magnesium etc. are some of the drugs being used for reducing the intensity of CIPN. Out of these, topical pain relievers and duloxetine are considered as the first line of treatment for CIPN. Well planned clinical trials are required to establish the clinical utility of others. The current review briefly focusses on the mechanisms involved in the genesis of CIPN and treatment strategies available for the same.

Keywords: Anti-Neoplastic Agents; Chemotherapy; Neuroprotective Agents; Peripheral Neuropathy.