Since the discovery of the principles of angiogenesis and the drugs with
antiangiogenic properties, the science has evolved greatly in understanding the
pathophysiology of several diseases like cancer and the development of drugs that
act in the cascade of mechanisms related to angiogenesis. Due to the systemic
action of antiangiogenic therapy, patients may experience several side effects,
among them those related to the nervous system. Several neurological complications
have been described in patients treated with antiangiogenic therapy. The
neurological side effect profile of the new agents is largely unknown and may
include central (reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy, strokes, encephalopathy,
seizures) and peripheral neurotoxicity (autonomic, sensory or sensorimotor
neuropathy) depending on the specific agent. The peripheral neurotoxicity of
relatively older agents such as bortezomib and thalidomide is well described and
health care professionals dealing with patients treated with such medications need
to be aware of these complications. Further research is necessary to understand the
mechanisms and foster prevention and treatment of these neurological
complications.
Keywords: Neurotoxicity, neuropathy, angiogenic, angiogenesis.
