mFOLFOX6 + XELOX

mFOLFOX6 and XELOX (also known as CAPOX) are standard-of-care, oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimens used primarily in the treatment of colorectal cancer, particularly in the adjuvant setting for stage II and III disease. mFOLFOX6 is a modified version of the FOLFOX6 regimen, consisting of oxaliplatin, leucovorin (folinic acid), and a combination of bolus and continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). XELOX consists of intravenous oxaliplatin combined with oral capecitabine, which acts as a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil. Both regimens utilize the synergistic effect of a platinum-based agent (oxaliplatin) and a fluoropyrimidine (5-FU or capecitabine) to induce DNA damage and inhibit DNA synthesis in malignant cells. Oxaliplatin functions by forming intra-strand and inter-strand DNA cross-links, while 5-fluorouracil inhibits thymidylate synthase, an enzyme essential for DNA replication. These regimens are frequently associated with cumulative peripheral neurotoxicity due to the oxaliplatin component, which has led to clinical investigations of neuroprotective agents like monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1).

Brand names

EloxatinXeloda

Other names

mFOLFOX6mFOLFOX-6mFOLFOX 6XELOXCAPOXmodified FOLFOX6oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy