A clinical trial is underway to test alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) to prevent peripheral neuropathy in patients treated with platinum-based drugs cisplatin or oxaliplatin.
Both cisplatin and oxaliplatin can leave patients with tingling, numbness, or pain in their hands and feet. In some cases, they lose function in their hands or can no longer manage daily activities.
Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) is used to treat both advanced colorectal cancer and stage II and III colon cancer after surgery. Although the peripheral neuropathy caused by oxaliplatin tends to fade once treatment ends, some people are left with permanent problems.
During the study, patients who are receiving either cisplatin or oxaliplatin as part of their chemotherapy will be randomly assigned to receive alpha-lipoic acid pills or a placebo three times a day between chemotherapy sessions. Neither the patients nor their doctors will know who is getting ALA and who is getting a placebo.
The primary objective for the trial is to find out whether ALA reduces the frequency and severity of peripheral neuropathy when patients are treated with cisplatin or oxaliplatin. In addition, researchers are studying changes in large and small motor function.
They also want to find out if there is a difference in how long patients can remain on chemotherapy and if ALA interferes with effective treatment.
Ying Guo, MD, MS, at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is leading the trial. She can be reached at
phone: 713-745-2327
or Email: yguo@mdanderson.org
She writes,
Peripheral neuropathy is a potentially disabling condition that affects many cancer patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. We hope that alpha-lipoic acid will help prevent this condition in patients being treated with cisplatin or oxaliplatin.”
The trial is featured in the NCI Cancer Bulletin.
The trial is being conducted at sites throughout the United States. Sites and contact telephone numbers and emails are listed on the NCI Clinical Trials PDQ.
Technorati Tags: clinical trials,neuropathy,alpha lipoic acid,ALA
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