Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Preventing Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy for Cancer

OBJECTIVES: Primary * Compare whether treatment with alpha-lipoic acid vs placebo decreases the severity and frequency of peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients receiving a cisplatin- or oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy regimen. * Compare the protective effect duration of these drugs in these patients. Secondary * Determine large sensory fiber integrity associated with platinum-induced peripheral neuropathy, as measured by three timed functional tests comprising fastening 6-buttons, walking 50 feet, and placing coins in a cup, in patients treated with these drugs. * Compare the number of chemotherapy courses and doses received by patients treated with these drugs. Tertiary * Compare the optimal tumor response (disease progression, stable disease, partial response, or complete response) to chemotherapy in patients treated with these drugs. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to prior platinum-containing treatment (yes vs no). Patients who received prior treatment are further stratified according to prior cumulative platinum exposure (cisplatin \< 200 mg/m\^2 or oxaliplatin \< 750 mg/m\^2 vs cisplatin 200-399 mg/m\^2 or oxaliplatin 750-999 mg/m\^2 vs cisplatin \>400 mg/m\^2 or oxaliplatin \> 1,000 mg/m\^2). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. * Arm I: Patients receive oral alpha-lipoic acid\* three times daily for at least 24 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. * Arm II: Patients receive oral placebo\* three times daily for at least 24 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. NOTE: \*In both arms, patients begin taking study drug 4 days after completion of each chemotherapy treatment and continue taking study drug until 2 days before their next scheduled chemotherapy treatment. Patients' symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, pain, and functional tests are assessed at baseline and then at weeks 6-8, 12, 24, 36, and 48. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 244 patients (122 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study within 2 years.