Oxaliplatin (trans-l-diaminocyclohexane oxalatoplatinum; l-OHP), a third-generation
platinum antitumor drug, is currently approved in combination with 5-flurouracil (5-FU)/
leucovorin (FOLFOX) for standard first- and second-line treatment of metastatic or advanced-stage
colorectal cancer. Despite l-OHP's better tolerability in comparison with other
platinum compounds such as
cisplatin and
carboplatin, its clinical efficiency is limited by the dose-limiting side effects including cumulative neurotoxicity and acute
dysesthesias. In addition, like other
platinum chemotherapeutic agents, l-OHP
therapy is limited by reduced accumulation levels in
tumor tissues, nonselective accumulation in healthy organs and/or tissues, inactivation by conjugation with
glutathione, and the development of drug resistance. Accordingly, successful outcome of
cancer treatment using l-OHP requires selective delivery of a relatively high concentration of the
drug to
tumor tissues. In this review we focus on utilization of different
drug-delivery vehicles such as
liposomes, polymeric nanocarriers, and
carbon nanotubes in enhancing selective delivery of l-OHP to
tumor tissues and consequently improving overall efficacy of l-OHP-containing drug-delivery systems.