Article: Oxaliplatin

Oxaliplatin
Systematic (IUPAC) name
ethanedioate;platinum(+4)cation; (2-azanidylcyclohexyl)azanide
Identifiers
CAS number	63121-00-6
ATC code	L01XA03
PubChem	77994
DrugBank	APRD00186
Chemical data
Formula	C8H12N2O4Pt
Mol. weight	395.27 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	Intravenous

Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug in the same family as cisplatin and carboplatin. It is typically administered in combination with fluorouracil and leucovorin in a combination known as FOLFOX for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Compared to cisplatin the two amine groups are replaced by cyclohexyldiamine for improved antitumour activity. The chlorine ligands are replaced by the oxalato bidentate derived from oxalic acid in order to improve water solubility.

Oxaliplatin is marketed by Sanofi-Aventis under the trademark Eloxatin®.

Mechanism of action and efficacy

In vivo studies showed Oxaliplatin has anti-tumor activity against colon carcinoma through its (non-targeted) cytotoxic effects. Median patient survival is approximately 5 months greater compared to the previous standard treatment.

Side-effects

Side-effects of oxaliplatin treatment can potentially include:

• Neuropathy, (both an acute, reversible sensitivity to cold and numbness in the hands and feet and a chronic, possibly irreversible foot/leg, hand/arm numbness, often with deficits in proprioception)
• Fatigue
• Nausea,vomiting, and/or diarrhea
• Neutropenia
• Hearing loss

In addition, some patients may experience an allergic reaction to platinum-containing drugs.