A Simple Interactive Prototype for Monitoring Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy with CTCAE Grading and Supportive Natural Compound Suggestions

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) represents a frequent dose-limiting toxicity in oncology patients treated with neurotoxic agents such as taxanes and platinum compounds. Natural compounds with neuroprotective properties demonstrate supportive potential, particularly in preclinical studies, although their clinical integration remains limited due to insufficient practical tools and heterogeneous clinical evidence. A basic interactive prototype was developed in Python using Google Colab and the pandas and matplotlib libraries. The tool evaluates CIPN severity through a 0–4 scoring system for five common symptoms (numbness, tingling, pain, difficulty with fine motor tasks, and balance issues), achieving a maximum score of 20 (5 symptoms × 4 points). It computes the total score, provides an approximate grading according to NCI-CTCAE v5.0 criteria for Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy, and, in cases of elevated risk, displays a detailed table summarizing selected natural compounds (curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E) including mechanisms of action, separate preclinical and clinical evidence levels, studied doses, precautions, and potential interactions. Results are presented in the form of a bar chart for symptom profile visualization. Preliminary testing on simulated patient profiles confirmed instant risk stratification and intuitive usability without installation requirements. This simple, accessible informatics prototype supports oncology clinicians in standardized CIPN monitoring and facilitates discussions with patients during consultations regarding adjacent natural supportive options while taking into consideration pharmacological safety. It offers a low-cost solution suitable for clinical extension in Romanian medical practice, such as mobile applications or electronic health record integration. AI tools assisted in code development and drafting; the prototype and final content represent original work by the author.