Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors are associated with improved paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in lung cancer: a study using administrative claims data

Purpose Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) has been reported to reduce patients’ quality of life and impair cancer treatment by causing anticancer drug withdrawal or interruption. However, there are currently no effective methods for the prevention of CIPN. Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors may be associated with a reduced risk of developing oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy, and it would be valuable to examine whether they have the same effect on CIPN caused by other anticancer drugs. Our study explored the potential preventive effects of RAAS inhibitors on preventing paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN). Methods An exploratory cohort study was conducted using commercially available administrative claims data on lung cancer patients treated with paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. Cumulative paclitaxel doses, RAAS inhibitor prescriptions, and incidences of PIPN were identified using patient medical records. Fine–Gray analyses with death as a competing risk were performed. A propensity score approach was applied to address the problem of confounding. Results Patients with lung cancer who received paclitaxel-based chemotherapy were classified into users of RAAS inhibitor ( n = 1320) and non-users of RAAS inhibitor ( n = 4566). The doses of RAAS inhibitors in our study were similar to those commonly used to treat hypertension. The PIPN incidence was significantly lower in users of RAAS inhibitor than in the non-users of RAAS inhibitor (sub-distribution hazard ratio, 0.842; 95% confidence interval, 0.762–0.929). The result was consistent in various sensitivity analyses and important subgroup analyses. Conclusions RAAS inhibitors at doses commonly used for hypertension were associated with a reduced incidence of PIPN in patients with lung cancer.