XALIPRODEN MAY REDUCE SIDE-EFFECTS CAUSED BY ELOXATIN, SHOWS STUDY

A new study has shown that the agent xaliproden, still in clinical trials, appears to reduce the risk of peripheral neuropathy, a common side effect associated with the use of the chemotherapy agent Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) in patients with colorectal cancer.

Researchers from Scotland conducted a Phase III clinical trial to evaluate xaliproden and its activity when used with Eloxatin in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Xaliproden (SR57746A) is a non-peptide compound which has shown to exhibit a wide range of neurotrophic effects both in vitro and in vivo. Most recently, this agent has shown modest effects in amyotropic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

The trial included 749 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were being treated with the chemotherapy combination FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil, Eloxatin, leucovorin). Approximately half of the patients received xaliproden and the other half received placebo.