Neuropathy 'prevention' info

Shands Teaching Hospital article

Glutathione: Glutathione is a small protein that is involved in detoxification; it binds to toxins in the body and transforms them into a form that can be excreted in urine or bile. Glutathione appears to significantly reduce numbness and tingling in the extremities, which is a common side effect of the chemotherapy drug Eloxatin.

In a clinical trial that involved 52 patients with advanced colorectal cancer undergoing Eloxatin chemotherapy, half were treated with glutathione and the other half received a placebo (inactive substitute). After eight courses of chemotherapy, only 43% of patients treated with glutathione experienced peripheral neuropathy, compared to 79% of patients who received placebo. Severe numbness and tingling did not occur in any patients treated with GSH, but occurred in 26% of patients who received placebo. Glutathione did not alter the effectiveness of chemotherapy, as anticancer responses, progression-free survival, and overall survival at nearly one year were the same between the two groups of patients