• Severity of neuropathy as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity Questionnaire total score at baseline and at 6-8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Group differences in change scores from baseline at 6-8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Number of courses received [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Optimal tumor response [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• Compare whether treatment with alpha-lipoic acid vs placebo decreases the severity and frequency of peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients receiving a cisplatin- or oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy regimen.
• Compare the protective effect duration of these drugs in these patients.

Secondary

• Determine large sensory fiber integrity associated with platinum-induced peripheral neuropathy, as measured by three timed functional tests comprising fastening 6-buttons, walking 50 feet, and placing coins in a cup, in patients treated with these drugs.
• Compare the number of chemotherapy courses and doses received by patients treated with these drugs.

Tertiary

• Compare the optimal tumor response (disease progression, stable disease, partial response, or complete response) to chemotherapy in patients treated with these drugs.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to prior platinum-containing treatment (yes vs no). Patients who received prior treatment are further stratified according to prior cumulative platinum exposure (cisplatin < 200 mg/m^2 or oxaliplatin < 750 mg/m^2 vs cisplatin 200-399 mg/m^2 or oxaliplatin 750-999 mg/m^2 vs cisplatin >400 mg/m^2 or oxaliplatin > 1,000 mg/m^2). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.

• Arm I: Patients receive oral alpha-lipoic acid* three times daily for at least 24 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity.
• Arm II: Patients receive oral placebo* three times daily for at least 24 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity.

NOTE: *In both arms, patients begin taking study drug 4 days after completion of each chemotherapy treatment and continue taking study drug until 2 days before their next scheduled chemotherapy treatment.

Patients' symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, pain, and functional tests are assessed at baseline and then at weeks 6-8, 12, 24, 36, and 48.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 244 patients (122 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study within 2 years.