Method of reducing toxicity of anticancer agents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for reducing the toxicity of anti-cancer agents oxaliplatin and doxorubicin. The method comprises administering to an individual, in need of such a treatment, the anti-cancer agent and a selenium compound. The selenium compounds may be administered before, during or after administration of the anti-cancer agent.

1 . A method for reducing the in vivo toxicity of an anticancer agent selected from the group consisting of oxaliplatin and doxorubicin comprising the steps of administering to an individual in need of treatment a therapeutically effective dose of the anticancer agent and a selenium compound wherein the toxicity induced by the anticancer agent is less than the toxicity induced in the absence of administered selenium compound.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anticancer agent is doxorubicin.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anticancer agent is oxaliplatin.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selenium compound is seleno-L-methionine.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selenium compound is methylselenocysteine.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selenium compound is administered at a time selected from the group consisting of prior to administration of the anticancer agent, during administration of the anticancer agent, following administration of the anticancer agent and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A method for using an anticancer agent selected from the group consisting of oxaliplatin and doxorubicin at a higher than therapeutic dose comprising the steps of administering to an individual in need of treatment a higher than therapeutic dose of the anticancer agent and a selenium compound, wherein the toxicity of the anticancer agent is reduced with the administration of the selenium compound.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the anticancer agent is doxorubicin.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the anticancer agent is oxaliplatin.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the selenium compound is seleno-L-methionine.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the selenium compound is methylselenocysteine.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the selenium compound is administered at a time selected from the group consisting of prior to administration of the anticancer agent, during administration of the anticancer agent, following administration of the anticancer agent and a combination thereof.