Cisplatin is a drug used to treat cancer. It is classified as a platinum-based chemotherapy drug. Cisplatin works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which prevents them from growing and dividing. This eventually leads to the death of the cancer cells.
Cisplatin was first discovered in 1845 by Italian chemist Angelo Mariani, who isolated it from platinum ore. However, it was not until 1965 that its anti-cancer properties were discovered by American scientists Barnett Rosenberg and Martin Eisinger. Cisplatin was first approved for use in cancer treatment in 1978 and has since become one of the most widely used chemotherapy drugs.
There are two main ways in which cisplatin can be administered: intraperitoneal (into the abdomen) or intravenous (into a vein). The route of administration depends on the type of cancer being treated. Intravenous cisplatin is typically used for solid tumours, while intraperitoneal cisplatin is often used for ovarian cancer.
Cisplatin can be given as a single agent or in combination with other drugs. When given as part of a combination regimen, cisplatinum is usually combined with another chemotherapeutic agent such as carboplatin or gemcitabine.
Common side effects of cisplatinum include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, loss of appetite, fatigue and hair loss. More serious side effects can occur but are less common; these include kidney damage, hearing loss and nerve damage. Cisplatinum can also cause low blood cell counts, which can lead to infection or bleeding problems. Because of these side effects, it is important that patients receiving cisplatinum be closely monitored by their healthcare team during treatment.