A Comprehensive Monograph on Oxaliplatin: Pharmacology, Clinical Efficacy, and Safety

Section I: Drug Identification and Physicochemical Properties

1.1 Overview and Classification

Oxaliplatin is a third-generation platinum coordination complex that functions as a potent antineoplastic agent.[1] It is categorized pharmacologically as an alkylating agent and is structurally defined as a diaminocyclohexane (DACH) platinum derivative.[2] This specific chemical lineage distinguishes it from its predecessors, cisplatin and carboplatin, granting it a unique profile of efficacy and toxicity.[1] As a small molecule drug, Oxaliplatin has become a cornerstone of modern chemotherapy, particularly in the management of colorectal cancer.[1]

1.2 Chemical Identity and Structure

The therapeutic activity and distinct clinical behavior of Oxaliplatin are direct consequences of its unique molecular architecture. Its formal International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) name is (SP-4-2)-[ethanedioato(2-)-kO1,kO2]-platinum.[6] It is also referred to as

cis-\ [oxalato(2-)- O,O'] platinum.[7]

Structurally, Oxaliplatin is an organoplatinum complex built around a central platinum (II) atom.[8] This platinum atom is coordinated with two distinct ligands that define its function:

1. 1,2-Diaminocyclohexane (DACH): A bulky, non-leaving side chain that replaces the two simple amine groups found on cisplatin. This modification is not merely incidental; it is the primary structural feature responsible for Oxaliplatin's enhanced cytotoxicity and, critically, its ability to overcome certain mechanisms of platinum resistance.[1]
2. Oxalate Ligand: A bidentate oxalate group that acts as a labile "leaving group." In the physiological environment of the body, this ligand is displaced, which is the essential step in activating the drug to its cytotoxic form.[8]