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L-folinic
L-folinic acid (leucovorin) is a reduced form of folic acid that enhances the activity of fluorouracil-based chemotherapy by stabilizing the ternary complex between fluorodeoxymonophosphate, thymidylate synthase, and the cofactor.
L-folinic acid (leucovorin) is a reduced form of folic acid that enhances the activity of fluorouracil-based chemotherapy by stabilizing the ternary complex between fluorodeoxymonophosphate, thymidylate synthase, and the cofactor. Used for Colorectal cancer (adjuvant and metastatic, in combination with 5-fluorouracil), Gastric cancer, Breast cancer (in combination with fluoropyrimidines).
At a glance
| Generic name | L-folinic |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | UNICANCER |
| Drug class | Reduced folate cofactor / Chemotherapy adjuvant |
| Target | Thymidylate synthase (indirect) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
L-folinic acid serves as a source of one-carbon units that potentiate the cytotoxic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and related antimetabolites. By providing the necessary cofactor, it increases the duration and stability of the inhibitory complex at thymidylate synthase, thereby enhancing DNA synthesis inhibition and improving chemotherapy efficacy. It is commonly used as an adjunct to fluoropyrimidine-based regimens in colorectal and other cancers.
Approved indications
- Colorectal cancer (adjuvant and metastatic, in combination with 5-fluorouracil)
- Gastric cancer
- Breast cancer (in combination with fluoropyrimidines)
Common side effects
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Mucositis
- Myelosuppression
- Allergic reactions (rare)
Key clinical trials
- Testing the Addition of the Anti-cancer Drug Venetoclax and/or the Anti-cancer Immunotherapy Blinatumomab to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment for Infants With Newly Diagnosed KMT2A-rearranged or KMT2A-non-rearranged Leukemia (PHASE2)
- A Study to Investigate Blinatumomab in Combination With Chemotherapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia (PHASE3)
- Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Donor Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (PHASE2)
- A Study Testing the Combination of Dasatinib or Imatinib to Chemotherapy Treatment With Blinatumomab for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Philadelphia Chromosome Positive (Ph+) or ABL-Class Philadelphia Chromosome-Like (Ph-Like) B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) (PHASE3)
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin and Post-Induction Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With High-Risk B-ALL, Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia, and B-LLy (PHASE3)
- Testing Mitazalimab in Combination With Standard Chemotherapy in Immunotherapy Resistant Advanced Biliary Tract Cancers (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Imatinib Mesylate and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (PHASE3)
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin in Treating Younger Patients With B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma or Relapsed or Refractory CD22 Positive B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial 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:
- L-folinic CI brief — competitive landscape report
- L-folinic updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- UNICANCER portfolio CI