cisplatiin

Cisplatin, chemically known as cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP), is a platinum-containing chemotherapy drug used to treat a range of solid tumors. It was discovered in the 1960s by Barnett Rosenberg and colleagues and entered clinical practice in 1978.

Cisplatin exerts its anticancer effects primarily by binding to DNA. It undergoes activation to form platinum–DNA adducts that create crosslinks between and within DNA strands, disrupting replication and transcription and triggering apoptosis in cancer cells. The drug also affects other cellular processes and can induce oxidative stress.

In clinical use, cisplatin is employed for testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and head and neck cancers, among others. It is frequently given in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents or with radiotherapy. Dosing is typically by body surface area and delivered by intravenous infusion in multiple cycles, with hydration before and after infusion to protect kidney function.

Common adverse effects include nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, nausea and vomiting, and electrolyte disturbances such as hypomagnesemia. Kidney protection strategies include aggressive hydration and, in some regimens, the use of protective agents like amifostine. Myelosuppression is usually less pronounced than with many other cytotoxic drugs.

Resistance to cisplatin can arise through increased DNA repair, reduced drug uptake, and enhanced detoxification by cellular thiols. Management of side effects and careful patient selection are important components of cisplatin therapy.