platinalääkkeet

Platinalääkkeet, known in English as platinum-based drugs or platinum chemotherapy, are a class of anticancer medications that contain platinum atoms as their active component. These drugs function by cross-linking DNA within cancer cells, which disrupts DNA replication and transcription, ultimately leading to programmed cell death (apoptosis).

The first platinum-based drug, cisplatin, was discovered in the 1960s and approved for clinical use in the 1970s. Its success paved the way for the development of other platinum agents, including carboplatin and oxaliplatin. These drugs are widely used in the treatment of various solid tumors, such as ovarian, lung, testicular, bladder, and colorectal cancers.

While effective, platinalääkkeet can cause significant side effects. Common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, kidney damage (nephrotoxicity), nerve damage (neuropathy), and bone marrow suppression leading to decreased blood cell counts. The specific side effect profile varies depending on the particular platinum drug used and the dosage.

The development of platinum resistance in cancer cells is a significant challenge in their use. Resistance mechanisms can involve decreased drug uptake, increased drug efflux, enhanced DNA repair, and altered apoptotic pathways. Ongoing research focuses on overcoming resistance and developing new platinum-based compounds with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity.