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L-leucovorin
L-leucovorin is a reduced folate that enhances the cytotoxic activity of fluorouracil by stabilizing the ternary complex between fluorodeoxymonophosphate, thymidylate synthase, and the reduced folate cofactor.
L-leucovorin is a reduced folate that enhances the cytotoxic activity of fluorouracil by stabilizing the ternary complex between fluorodeoxymonophosphate, thymidylate synthase, and the reduced folate cofactor. Used for Colorectal cancer (in combination with fluorouracil), Metastatic colorectal cancer, Adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer.
At a glance
| Generic name | L-leucovorin |
|---|---|
| Also known as | I-LV, Lederfolin |
| Sponsor | Gruppo Oncologico del Nord-Ovest |
| Drug class | Reduced folate cofactor / chemotherapy adjuvant |
| Target | Thymidylate synthase (indirect; acts as cofactor) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
L-leucovorin (the active L-isomer of folinic acid) acts as a cofactor that potentiates fluorouracil (5-FU) efficacy in cancer chemotherapy. By providing reduced folate, it increases the formation and stability of the inhibitory complex that blocks thymidylate synthase, thereby enhancing 5-FU's ability to disrupt DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cancer cells. This combination is a standard component of many colorectal and other solid tumor chemotherapy regimens.
Approved indications
- Colorectal cancer (in combination with fluorouracil)
- Metastatic colorectal cancer
- Adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer
Common side effects
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomatitis
- Myelosuppression
- Fatigue
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)
- Individual Response to Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Treatment of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis From Peritoneal Mesothelioma or Atypical Mesothelial Proliferation or From Ovarian, Colorectal, or Appendiceal Histologies (PHASE1)
- Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Donor Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (PHASE2)
- LTA Pilot Study of Glucarpidase in Patients With Central Nervous System Lymphoma (EARLY_PHASE1)
- 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)
- Combination Chemotherapy Before and After Surgery in Treating Patients With Localized Pancreatic Cancer (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 |