leucovorin + 5-fluorouracil + oxaliplatin

FOLFOX4s is a modified chemotherapy regimen consisting of leucovorin (folinic acid), 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin, specifically adapted for elderly patients (aged 75 and older). Developed and investigated by UNICANCER, this regimen is being evaluated in the Phase III NACRE-2 trial for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. The treatment strategy involves using FOLFOX4s following short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) to achieve organ preservation and avoid radical surgery in older populations. Mechanistically, 5-fluorouracil acts as a pyrimidine analog that inhibits thymidylate synthase, an effect potentiated by leucovorin, while oxaliplatin is a platinum-based cytotoxic agent that forms DNA crosslinks, collectively inhibiting DNA synthesis and inducing apoptosis in malignant cells.

Other names

FOLFOX4sFOLFOX-4sFOLFOX 4sfolinic acid + 5-fluorouracil + oxaliplatin