2 Versus 6 Hour Oxaliplatin Infusions in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancers

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine the effect of 2 versus 6-hour oxaliplatin infusion time on the difference in severity of sensory neuropathy as measured by patient reported outcome (PRO) scores on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN-20) scale at the initiation of cycle 4. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. Pharmacokinetic parameters of maximum concentration (Cmax), area under the curve (AUC), time of maximum concentration (tmax), clearance, and half life (t1/2) of platinum ultra-filtrate. II. CIPN-20 sensory score changes over the duration of therapy as measured by a cumulative area-under-the curve score. III. Clinical outcomes including duration of therapy, oxaliplatin dose reductions, delays in therapy, and overall dose intensity and delivery of oxaliplatin. IV. Relationship between oxaliplatin Cmax, patient-reported acute neurotoxicity, and chronic neurotoxicity by CIPN-20 scores. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 groups. 2-hour infusion group: Patients receive oxaliplatin intravenously (IV) and leucovorin IV over 2 hours on day 1. Patients also receive a lower dose of fluorouracil IV over 2-4 minutes followed by a higher dose IV continuous over 4-6 hours on day 1. Courses repeat every 14 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. 6-hour infusion group: Patients receive oxaliplatin IV over 6 hours on day 1. Patients also receive leucovorin and fluorouracil as in the 2-hour infusion group. Courses repeat every 14 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months.