Last reviewed · How we verify

FOLFOX/XELOX/Capecitabine

Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine · Phase 3 active Small molecule

FOLFOX/XELOX regimens are chemotherapy combinations that inhibit thymidylate synthase and cause DNA damage to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells.

FOLFOX/XELOX regimens are chemotherapy combinations that inhibit thymidylate synthase and cause DNA damage to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. Used for Metastatic colorectal cancer, Adjuvant treatment of stage III colorectal cancer, Gastric cancer.

At a glance

Generic nameFOLFOX/XELOX/Capecitabine
SponsorShanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Drug classCytotoxic chemotherapy combination regimen
TargetThymidylate synthase (5-FU component); DNA (oxaliplatin component)
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaOncology
PhasePhase 3

Mechanism of action

FOLFOX combines 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin, and oxaliplatin; XELOX substitutes capecitabine (an oral 5-FU prodrug) for intravenous 5-FU. 5-FU inhibits thymidylate synthase, disrupting DNA synthesis, while oxaliplatin creates platinum-DNA adducts causing cross-linking and apoptosis. These are standard cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens used in colorectal and gastric cancers.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape: