Platinum Agent
Also known as: cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin
A family of powerful chemotherapy drugs (such as cisplatin and carboplatin) used in many cancers.
Definition
Platinum agents are a family of chemotherapy drugs that contain the metal platinum and damage cancer cell DNA, triggering programmed cell death. The three commonly used drugs are cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin. They are backbone drugs in treatment regimens for cancers of the lung, ovary, cervix, bladder, testis, head & neck, oesophagus and colon.
Side effects vary by drug and dose, and may include nausea (which today is well controlled with modern antiemetics), tinnitus or hearing loss, kidney effects, low blood counts and nerve tingling (peripheral neuropathy). Careful monitoring and supportive medications keep most patients well during treatment.
See also
- Chemotherapy — Drug treatment that kills cancer cells throughout the body.
- Antiemetic — A medicine that prevents or controls nausea and vomiting.
- Neutropenia — A low neutrophil count that increases the risk of serious infection during chemotherapy.
- Protocol — A standardised plan that specifies the drugs, doses and schedule for a course of cancer treatment.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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