Researchers from the North Central Cancer Treatment Group presented findings at the 44th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO abstract #4009) suggesting that calcium and magnesium administration may reduce certain side effects associated with the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin.
The study included 102 patients with colon cancer who were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Fifty patients received an intravenous solution containing calcium and magnesium prior to oxaliplatin chemotherapy, while 52 patients received a placebo infusion.
Oxaliplatin is known to cause peripheral neurotoxicity, a side effect that can lead to significant pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands and feet and may worsen with continued treatment. The researchers found that patients receiving calcium and magnesium experienced a significant reduction in both the severity and duration of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity compared with those receiving placebo.
These findings suggest that mineral supplementation given intravenously before chemotherapy may influence treatment tolerability. As the results were presented in abstract form, further published studies are needed to confirm effectiveness, clarify mechanisms, and determine how this approach might best be integrated into standard oncology care.
