Oxaliplatin : A Review of Its Use in Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma

The purpose of the review is to consolidate the biological, chemical and therapeutic role of the third generation cytotoxic platinum analogue oxaliplatin [(1R,2R-diamminocyclohexane) oxalatoplatinum(II)] taking the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data in account. Oxaliplatin is the first derivative of Cisplatin with known therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of colorectal carcinoma. The disease free survival of the patients subjected to oxaliplatin based chemotherapy is associated with marked reduction in recurrence of the disease whereas oxaliplatin based regimens can be effectively administered in patients with relapse of disease treated formerly with cisplatin. This review summarizes the Chemical and biochemical attributes, platinum core remodeling, molecular mechanism of action, cytotoxic activity, initial clinical trials, landmark trials and toxicity associated with oxaliplatin in combination of 5FU/LV (FOLFOX) in patients of advanced colorectal carcinoma.