Oxaliplatin (trade name: Eloxatin) is a platinum-compound chemotherapy drug (i.e. it derives from the element platinum) that works as an alkylating agent.1 Other platinum-compound drugs include cisplatin and carboplatin.
What it's effective for and why
Since 2004, oxaliplatin has been FDA-approved for A) adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer in patients who have undergone complete resection of the primary tumor, and B) treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.2 The drug is most commonly used in combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in the treatment of colorectal cancer.3 This regimen is known by the acronym FOLFOX.
Oxaliplatin continues to be explored as in combination regimens against other cancers, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.4
Oxaliplatin side effects: Overview
According to the American Cancer Society,5 common side effects associated with oxaliplatin include nausea, vomiting, neuropathy (numbness and tingling in the extremities), numbness of lips, diarrhea, abdominal pain, mouth sores, fatigue, and a change in liver function values. Less common side effects include difficulty walking, swallowing or breathing, loss of appetite, and infection.
References
- MedlinePlus: Oxaliplatin
- Sanofi-Aventis: Prescribing information for Eloxatin
- de Gramont A et al. "Leucovorin and fluorouracil with or without oxaliplatin as first-line treatment in advanced colorectal cancer." J Clin Oncol. 2000 Aug;18(16):2938-47
- Lignon J et al. "Rituximab, Dexamethasone, Cytarabine, and Oxaliplatin (R-DHAX) Is an Effective and Safe Salvage Regimen in Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma." Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2010 Aug 1;10(4):262-9.
- American Cancer Society: Oxaliplatin
