This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluates the effect of the corticotropin (4–9) analogue Org 2766 on the neuropathy-free interval in patients receiving vincristine (VCR) containing chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In a longitudinal design, 150 patients were evaluated by interview, neurological examination, and neurophysiological techniques. Patients with an expected cumulative VCR dose of at least 8 mg received a single dose of Org 2766 or placebo before and after each intravenous VCR injection and 3–4 weeks after cessation of VCR. The final patient assessment was performed 1 month after discontinuation of study medication. The neuropathy-free interval as the major end point of this study was defined as the first occurrence of bilateral paresthesias and expressed as the administered cumulative VCR dose. This bi-center study represents the largest cohort of patients monitored for the effect of an ACTH-analogue on VCR neurotoxicity.

A total of 147 patients were included in the final analysis. No significant differences were observed between the placebo and actively treated group for the major and secondary endpoints.

Contrary to a single previous pilot study in patients receiving VCR-based chemotherapy, in our study the ACTH (4–9) analogue Org 2766 did not provide protection from VCR-induced neuropathy.