Abstract
Oxaliplatin (trans-/-diaminocyclohexane oxalatoplatinum; L-OHP) is a new platinum derivative for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Preclinical data have shown that oxaliplatin is active in a wide range of human and murine tumour cell lines, and has been found to be non-cross-resistant with cisplatin in various cisplatin-resistant cell lines and tumours. Oxaliplatin in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) leads to synergistic antiproliferative activity both in vivo and in vitro. Clinical data have shown that oxaliplatin is active and well tolerated both as monotherapy and in combination with 5-FU/folinic acid in first- or second-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Oxaliplatin has a very good safety profile, and studies have confirmed that peripheral sensory neuropathy is related to the cumulative dose of oxaliplatin administered and that this neuropathy is generally reversible after discontinuation of treatment. High response rates and prolonged survival have been achieved in metastatic colorectal cancer patients, even after 5-FU failure.
Highlights
Preclinical data have shown that oxaliplatin is active in a wide range of human and murine tumour cell lines (Silvestro et al, 1990)
Clinical data have shown that oxaliplatin is active and well tolerated, both as monotherapy and in combination with 5-FU/folinic acid (FA), in first- or second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients
One of the combination studies with oxaliplatin that has recently been finalized is a study in which 5-FU and FA are given in a chronomodulated manner (Giacchetti et al, 1997)
Summary
A phase II multicentre study by Becouarn et al (1997), carried out in France, investigated the use of oxaliplatin as monotherapy in 38 patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer. The median age of the patients was 67 years and most of the patients had one or two metastatic sites. The 1-year survival rate was 53% and the median survival was more than 12 months. Two phase II multicentre studies have evaluated oxaliplatin as second-line monotherapy in a total of 109 patients with histologically proven colorectal adenocarcinoma (Machover et al, 1996). The response rate in study I was 11% (95% CI 0.03-0.19) and 10% in study 11 (95% CI 0.017-0.180). Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy was seen in 34% of patients, and grade 4 in 1%
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
