FOLFOX chemotherapy

Mrs KT s consultant oncologist decides to commence her on the FOLFOX chemotherapy regimen as follows ... 

Prophylactic administration of antiemetics is essential in any patient receiving FOLFOX chemotherapy. The combination of oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil results in a moderate level of emetogenicity and requires the administration of 5HT3-receptor antagonists and corticosteroid treatment, generally with a dopamine antagonist such as metoclopramide or domperidone. Severe manifestations may have to be managed by delay and/or dose modification of the patient s next cycle of chemotherapy. 

Haematological parameters. Full blood count must be analysed prior to administration of FOLFOX chemotherapy to check for persistent bone marrow suppression as previously described. Fow neutrophil or platelet counts (typically neutrophils <1.5 x 109/F or platelets <80 x 109/L) will necessitate a delay in chemotherapy administration, usually by one week. 

NCT01490996 A phase I/IIa study combining curcumin (Curcumin C3-Complex, Sabinsa) with standard care FOLFOX chemotherapy in patients with inoperable colorectal... 

Mrs KT, a 52-year-old hospital cleaner, is admitted as an inpatient to your oncology ward with symptoms from advanced colon cancer. Her GP referred her to the hospital oncology team three weeks ago for investigations (including colonoscopy and subsequent biopsy of a colonic mass, as well as whole body computerised tomography (CT) scan) that revealed stage IV metastatic colon cancer. Her consultant oncologist has now admitted her for FOLFOX systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment. 

Ruzzo A, Graziano F, Loupakis F et al (2007) Pharmacogenetic profiling in patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated with first-line FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 25 1247-1254... 

Keam B, Im SA, Han SW et al (2008) Modified FOLFOX-6 chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer results of phase II study and comprehensive analysis of polymorphisms as a predictive and prognostic marker. BMC Cancer 8 148... 

---