Sanofi-Aventis (Canada) Release: Health Canada Approves New Chemotherapy Treatment for Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

LAVAL, QC, June 18 /CNW/ - Health Canada has approved Eloxatin(R) (oxaliplatin for injection) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) (FOLFOX4) for use in first and second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Clinical studies show that Eloxatin(R) in combination with 5-FU and LV (FOLFOX4) can prolong survival, shrink tumours and delay the progression of disease in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.(1) In Canada, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of death from cancer.(2) Close to 50 per cent of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer go on to develop metastatic colorectal cancer.(3)