development of product discontinued

Primary objective:

To assess the effect of xaliproden hydrochloride (xaliproden) 1 mg per oral daily on the rate of complete resolution of peripheral sensory neuropathy (PSN) at 6 months, following randomization, after the completion of oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer.

Secondary objective:

• To assess the effect of xaliproden on patient-reported outcomes using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity scale (FACT/GOG NTX-12 subscale).
• To assess the effect of xaliproden on the rate of at least partial recovery of grade > 2 PSN at 6 months
• To assess the effects of xaliproden on the time to complete recovery from PSN
• To evaluate the safety profile of xaliproden

Inclusion Criteria:

• Have completed an oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy regimen post complete surgical removal of primary colon tumor no later than 6 weeks before randomization;
• Have Grade ≥ 1 PSN, as defined by the NCI-CTCAE version 3.0
• Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status ≤2;
• Blood tests within 14 days prior to randomization: (a) AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) ≤2 x upper limit of normal (ULN); (b) serum creatinine ≤1.5 x ULN; (c)HbA1c ≤7%; (d) neutrophils ≥1.5x10^9/L ; (e) platelets ≥50x10^9/L; (f) Serum D-dimer within normal limits

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-existing peripheral neuropathy prior to treatment with oxaliplatin
• Receiving any further anti-cancer treatment
• History of any recent (≤1 year) thrombo-embolic events and current clinical evidence of thrombo-embolism
• Unstable cardiac disease
• History of significant neurological or psychiatric disorders including dementia or seizures,
• Active uncontrolled infection
• Active disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Other serious underlying medical conditions which could impair the ability of the patient to participate in the study;
• Use of antidepressant/antiepileptic medication (for the treatment of PSN), unless commenced before informed consent form signed. The addition of these medications (for the treatment of PSN) once the patient has consented is not allowed
• Concurrent treatment with any other experimental drugs
• Pregnant or breast-feeding women;
• Women of childbearing potential must be protected by effective contraceptive methods of birth control. Post-menopausal women must have been amenorrheic for at least 12 months to be considered as having non-childbearing potential
• Any psychological, familial, sociological or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule. Those conditions should be assessed with the patient before registration in the trial.

The above information is not intended to contain all considerations relevant to a patient's potential participation in a clinical trial.