Calcium and Magnesium Prophylaxis for Oxaliplatin-Related Neurotoxicity: Is It a Trade-off Between Drug Efficacy and Toxicity?

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimens are the current standard treatment in the management of colorectal cancer. Neurotoxicity is the major cause of treatment delay, dose reduction, and cessation of oxaliplatin. Evidence regarding the role of calcium and magnesium prophylaxis to prevent oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity is conflicting and further randomized data are needed to answer this question accurately. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical overview of various studies that have been conducted so far to evaluate the preventative role of calcium and magnesium prophylaxis against oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity. The Oncologist 2011;16:1780-1783