Neurological Monitoring During Nelarabine Injection: What Patients and Providers Should Know

While Nelarabine injection has shown clinical benefits in managing certain T-cell cancers, it also carries a known risk of neurological side effects. Patients undergoing treatment with this drug may experience symptoms ranging from mild (e.g., drowsiness, headache) to severe (e.g., seizures, confusion, or motor weakness).

This risk necessitates routine neurological assessments before and during the course of treatment. Early detection of symptoms allows for timely intervention, which may include dose modification or discontinuation of the drug. Because of these risks, Nelarabine is typically reserved for patients with relapsed or refractory disease where the benefits outweigh the potential harms.

Healthcare teams must educate patients and caregivers on recognising early warning signs of neurotoxicity and ensure follow-up appointments include neurological evaluations. This aspect of care helps optimise the safety and effectiveness of treatment strategies involving Nelarabine.