Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug. Once in the body, it undergoes a transformation to form active compounds that bind to DNA in cancer cells. This binding creates crosslinks within and between DNA strands, which blocks the cancer cell's ability to replicate and repair its DNA. As a result, the cancer cells are unable to divide and eventually die.

Oxaliplatin's action is not limited to a specific phase of the cell cycle, making it effective against rapidly dividing cancer cells. In laboratory studies, oxaliplatin has shown activity against various tumor types, including leukemia cell lines. When used in combination with other chemotherapy agents, such as fluorouracil and leucovorin, oxaliplatin's ability to stop cancer cell growth is enhanced. This combination is particularly effective in treating certain gastrointestinal cancers, and it is being explored in other cancers, including some blood cancers.

oxaliplatin

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