FOLFOXIRI is a

chemotherapy regimen A chemotherapy regimen is a regimen for chemotherapy, defining the drugs to be used, their dosage, the frequency and duration of treatments, and other considerations. In modern oncology, many regimens combine several chemotherapy drugs in combi ...

for the treatment of advanced

colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is the development of cancer from the Colon (anatomy), colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). Signs and symptoms may include Lower gastrointestinal ...

. The role of FOLFOXIRI in colorectal cancer has been reviewed. The chemotherapy regimen is made up of the following four drugs: * FOL –

folinic acid Folinic acid, also known as leucovorin, is a medication used to decrease the toxic effects of methotrexate and pyrimethamine. It is also used in combination with 5-fluorouracil to treat colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer, may be used to ...

(leucovorin), a vitamin B derivative that modulates/potentiates/reduces the side effects of fluorouracil; * F – fluorouracil (5-FU), a pyrimidine analog and antimetabolite which incorporates into the DNA molecule and stops DNA synthesis; * OX –

oxaliplatin Oxaliplatin, sold under the brand name Eloxatin among others, is a cancer medication (platinum-based antineoplastic class) used to treat colorectal cancer. It is given by intravenous, infusion into a vein. Common side effects include paresth ...

(Eloxatin), a platinum-based antineoplastic agent, which inhibits

DNA repair DNA repair is a collection of processes by which a cell (biology), cell identifies and corrects damage to the DNA molecules that encode its genome. A weakened capacity for DNA repair is a risk factor for the development of cancer. DNA is cons ...

and/or DNA synthesis; * IRI – irinotecan (Camptosar), a topoisomerase inhibitor, prevents DNA from uncoiling and duplicating. It is usually given with bevacizumab, unlike FOLFIRINOX for treatment of advanced

pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer arises when cell (biology), cells in the pancreas, a glandular organ behind the stomach, begin to multiply out of control and form a Neoplasm, mass. These cancerous cells have the malignant, ability to invade other parts of ...

. Also, the doses (Day 1: irinotecan 165 mg/m2 IV, plus oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 IV; Day 1: leucovorin 400 mg/m2; Days 1–3: fluorouracil 1,600 mg/m2/day × 2 days (total 3,200 mg/m2 over 48 hours) continuous infusion starting on day 1; Day 1: bevacizumab 5 mg/kg IV; repeat cycle every 2 weeks) are slightly dissimilar to FOLFIRINOX. Upfront FOLFOXIRI with bevacizumab can be followed by fluoropyrimidine with bevacizumab maintenance.

References

{{reflist, 30em Chemotherapy regimens used in colorectal cancer

See also

References