irinotecan +oxaliplatin

luvmum
luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Dear all,

My mum onc mentioned about using irinotecan and oxaliplatin at the same time. Have any one of you been on this regimen?

I would like to explore more about it before we move to our next step.

Many thanks!
Dora

Comments

  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #2
    There is at least one
    Hong Kong member that is on the combination.

    Personally, I am unaware of any of the American members getting both at the same time.

    Blake
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #3
    me and
    Hi Dora,

    I'm on FOLFOXFIRI which is 5FU, oxaliplatin and irinotecan (CPT11). I know at least one other member of this board is on the same regime (sorry just forgot the name!).

    It is considered a fairly brutul regime but I have done OK on it. Not much different from other "cocktails" I have been on (and I've been on lots!). Side effects for me have been: mild nausea, mild fatigue, mild temporary peripheral neuropathy (from oxi) and occasional bouts of diarrhea (from CPT-11). I know some others have sufffered quite serious diarrhea from the CPT11. Mine usually just lasts a couple of days and is controllable with a couple of Immodium. I've finished number 7 and about to do #8.

    Good luck to your mum!!
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #4
    taraHK said:

    me and
    Hi Dora,

    I'm on FOLFOXFIRI which is 5FU, oxaliplatin and irinotecan (CPT11). I know at least one other member of this board is on the same regime (sorry just forgot the name!).

    It is considered a fairly brutul regime but I have done OK on it. Not much different from other "cocktails" I have been on (and I've been on lots!). Side effects for me have been: mild nausea, mild fatigue, mild temporary peripheral neuropathy (from oxi) and occasional bouts of diarrhea (from CPT-11). I know some others have sufffered quite serious diarrhea from the CPT11. Mine usually just lasts a couple of days and is controllable with a couple of Immodium. I've finished number 7 and about to do #8.

    Good luck to your mum!!

    Dear Tara
    Thank you very much for your detail descriptions. I just have one more question: do you have mouth sore and change of taste from this regimen? When my mum was on FOLFOX, she had serious mouth sore and change of taste and I wasn't sure if that was from oxaliplatin or 5-Fu.

    Best wishes to you and your treatments.
    Dora
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #5
    luvmum said:

    Dear Tara
    Thank you very much for your detail descriptions. I just have one more question: do you have mouth sore and change of taste from this regimen? When my mum was on FOLFOX, she had serious mouth sore and change of taste and I wasn't sure if that was from oxaliplatin or 5-Fu.

    Best wishes to you and your treatments.
    Dora

    Dearest Dora
    I had very few mouth sores on oxy. On 5fu I had a very bad time with mouth sores, cracked lips, eyes etc.

    but eeryone is so different Dora....can only tell you that is was the 5FU for me.

    Tara i cannot believe how well you are doing on that cocktail....gooooo girl!!

    maggie
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #6
    luvmum said:

    Dear Tara
    Thank you very much for your detail descriptions. I just have one more question: do you have mouth sore and change of taste from this regimen? When my mum was on FOLFOX, she had serious mouth sore and change of taste and I wasn't sure if that was from oxaliplatin or 5-Fu.

    Best wishes to you and your treatments.
    Dora

    side effects
    While side effects are very different for everyone, she can certainly expect change of taste - that happens on almost every chemo. I have had mouth sores on every combination I have been on. They were the worst on FOLFOX. I have not had Oxaliplatin and Irinotecan together. Normally when they put the two together, 5-FU or Xeloda is part of it. Oxaliplatin works best WITH 5-FU, but Irinotecan can be used on its own. I would question using Oxy + Irinotecan w/o 5-FU or Xeloda - ask for statistics on effectiveness.
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #7
    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    side effects
    While side effects are very different for everyone, she can certainly expect change of taste - that happens on almost every chemo. I have had mouth sores on every combination I have been on. They were the worst on FOLFOX. I have not had Oxaliplatin and Irinotecan together. Normally when they put the two together, 5-FU or Xeloda is part of it. Oxaliplatin works best WITH 5-FU, but Irinotecan can be used on its own. I would question using Oxy + Irinotecan w/o 5-FU or Xeloda - ask for statistics on effectiveness.

    Oxaliplatin and Irenotecan
    Hi: I too am on folfoxfiri (Oxaliplatin + Irenotecan + 5FU pump + leucovin). My first chemo regime was cisplatin/gemcitibine. I have just today finished my 9th folfoxfiri treatment. My oncologist is using it to stabilize/shrink/remove nodules on my peritoneum which seeded from my gallbladder tumour (removed with part of my liver April 2010). It is a new treatment here in Canada as both gallbladder cancer and peritoneum cancer are very rare. I think I have 3 more treatments. My latest MRI showed shrinkage, stability, and removal of the peritoneum nodules (I had 6 little ones at the start) so my oncologist is thrilled and is recommending me for the peritoneum stripping/HIPEC surgery which is only done in one city here in Canada (Calgary).

    As far as side effects...well, this is a tougher regime than the cisplatin/gemcitibine treatment (I have no side effects with that one) but the side effects are largely controllable. Oxaliplatin is well known for its neuropathy. I had it bad at the first treatment but started taking supplements (L-Glutamine fermented, Alpha lipoic acid, Vit B6, calcium/magnesium) and have had few problems since.The oncologist also reduced the amount and infusion rate. The others are known for severe diarrhea and I certainly get that starting 2 days after the 5FU pump is removed. I take lomotil for that starting right after the pump is removed. The fatigue - well, it too starts 2 days after the pump is removed and the only thing I do is walk my dog and take sips of an energy drink like RockStar. I also get the sweats apparently from the steroids given during chemo. I did not have a change in taste fortunately. I can't do Xeloda here in Canada - would cost far far too much (I already have to pay for the oxaliplatin and xeloda is more costly).

    Good luck!

    Cheryl
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #8
    luvmum said:

    Dear Tara
    Thank you very much for your detail descriptions. I just have one more question: do you have mouth sore and change of taste from this regimen? When my mum was on FOLFOX, she had serious mouth sore and change of taste and I wasn't sure if that was from oxaliplatin or 5-Fu.

    Best wishes to you and your treatments.
    Dora

    mouth sores
    HI Dora,

    I haven't had serious mouth sores on this regime but definitely sensitivity --and change in taste (lasts less than one week). I gargle with soluble aspirin 1-2 times a day (oncologist's recommendation -- seems to help.....Don't use alcohol-based mouthwashes - ouch!
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #9
    westie66 said:

    Oxaliplatin and Irenotecan
    Hi: I too am on folfoxfiri (Oxaliplatin + Irenotecan + 5FU pump + leucovin). My first chemo regime was cisplatin/gemcitibine. I have just today finished my 9th folfoxfiri treatment. My oncologist is using it to stabilize/shrink/remove nodules on my peritoneum which seeded from my gallbladder tumour (removed with part of my liver April 2010). It is a new treatment here in Canada as both gallbladder cancer and peritoneum cancer are very rare. I think I have 3 more treatments. My latest MRI showed shrinkage, stability, and removal of the peritoneum nodules (I had 6 little ones at the start) so my oncologist is thrilled and is recommending me for the peritoneum stripping/HIPEC surgery which is only done in one city here in Canada (Calgary).

    As far as side effects...well, this is a tougher regime than the cisplatin/gemcitibine treatment (I have no side effects with that one) but the side effects are largely controllable. Oxaliplatin is well known for its neuropathy. I had it bad at the first treatment but started taking supplements (L-Glutamine fermented, Alpha lipoic acid, Vit B6, calcium/magnesium) and have had few problems since.The oncologist also reduced the amount and infusion rate. The others are known for severe diarrhea and I certainly get that starting 2 days after the 5FU pump is removed. I take lomotil for that starting right after the pump is removed. The fatigue - well, it too starts 2 days after the pump is removed and the only thing I do is walk my dog and take sips of an energy drink like RockStar. I also get the sweats apparently from the steroids given during chemo. I did not have a change in taste fortunately. I can't do Xeloda here in Canada - would cost far far too much (I already have to pay for the oxaliplatin and xeloda is more costly).

    Good luck!

    Cheryl

    sister!
    Hi Cheryl -- Sorry I couldn't remember your name! Chemo brain! Yes -- you champion. You are 2 ahead of me - -I've completed #7 and about to do #8.

    Good luck!

    Tara
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #10
    taraHK said:

    mouth sores
    HI Dora,

    I haven't had serious mouth sores on this regime but definitely sensitivity --and change in taste (lasts less than one week). I gargle with soluble aspirin 1-2 times a day (oncologist's recommendation -- seems to help.....Don't use alcohol-based mouthwashes - ouch!

    Mouth Sores
    Hi: I get them every once in awhile, particulary if I'm dumb enough to have something spicy. The oncologist here prescribed a wonderful mouth wash called Benzydamine Hcl 0.15% mixed with sucralfate in equal parts (the pharmacist mixes it up for me). You swish and spit 2-4 tspns four times daily before meals and bed. Works well!
    Cheryl

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