Biomarkers in Predicting Neurotoxicity in Patients With Colorectal Cancer Receiving Oxaliplatin

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically confirmed colorectal cancer
• Requires treatment with oxaliplatin (as part of a FOLFOX regimen)
• No brain metastases or symptomatic meningitis
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• WHO performance status 0-2
• Life expectancy \> 3 months
• ANC ≥ 1 x 10\^9/L
• Platelet count ≥ 100 x 10\^9/L
• Total bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Transaminases ≤ 3 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 5 times ULN
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No prior or concurrent clinical neuropathy (regardless of the etiology)
• No dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency
• No psychiatric illness that would preclude comprehension of the study or of the informed consent
• No other severe illness that may worsen during treatment, including unstable cardiac disease, myocardial infarction within the past 6 months, or active uncontrolled infection
• No psychological, social, familial, or geographical reason that would preclude study follow-up
• Other cancer within the past 5 years allowed provided treatment did not include platinum derivatives or taxanes
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• See Disease Characteristics
• Prior chemotherapy allowed (except for platinum derivatives or taxanes)