Carboplatin molecular model
Carboplatin is a second-generation platinum-based chemotherapy drug, developed largely in an effort to take advantage of the benefits seen from platinum-based therapy (through the first-generation drug cisplatin) but with a significantly lower toxicity profile. Since its approval in 1989, carboplatin has found its way into a wide variety of cancer chemotherapy regimens.
Drug profile
- Class: Atypical alkylator
- Mechanism of action: Alkylators add a molecular group to a cell's DNA strand during replication, leading to strand breakage.
- Treatment type: Chemotherapy
- US approval: 1989
- Synonyms: Paraplatin, Carboplatin Novaplus, CBDCA
- FDA Use-in-Pregnancy Rating: Category D
What Carboplatin is effective for and why
Carboplatin has applications in several cancers, including bladder cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancers, CNS cancers, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer, both alone and in combination regimens.
Carboplatin side effects: Overview
Carboplatin's anti-cancer efficacy may be matched only by its many and difficult side effects. Each patient will have his or her own experiences with the side effects of carboplatin, but the most commonly reported side effects include bruising or bleeding, fever, chills, vomiting, peripheral neuropathy, stomach ache, jaundice, diarrhea, taste changes, renal impairment, hair loss, and problems with hearing or vision. Carboplatin can also bring about low magnesium, leading to confusion, weakness, or variable heart rate.
Most if not all of these side effects should subside when one is finished with the regimen. Patients are encouraged to report all side effects to their oncologist or oncology team.
Sources
- Boyiadzis, Michael M. et al. Hematology-Oncology Therapy. 2007. New York: McGraw Hill, Medical Publishing Division.
- Perry, Michael C, Editor. Companion Handbook to the Chemotherapy Sourcebook. 1999. Baltimore; Williams & Wilkins.
- Cancerbackup UK: Carboplatin
- Drugs.com: Carboplatin
Significant studies relating to carboplatin
