How it Works

Cisplatin is an alkylating agent used to treat various forms of cancer by three different mechanisms that occur during multiple phases of the cell cycle.

1. Preventing the cell’s DNA synthesis and expression attaching alkyl groups (organic chemicals that contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms, which are arranged in a chain)
2. Cell’s DNA damage through the disruptions of the links between its atoms
3. Mispairing of the nucleotides, the basic building blocks for DNA and RNA, leads to mutations that cause cell death

All of which achieve the same result - disruption of DNA function, and cell division. Ultimately if the cells are unable to divide, they die. The faster the cells are dividing, the more likely it is that chemotherapy will kill the cells, which makes cancerous (fast-dividing cells) sensitive to this kind of treatment. 

How it’s Administered

Cisplatin is administered via an intravenous (IV) injection through a central line or a peripheral venous line, and the drug is given over several minutes. Cisplatin can also be provided by continuous infusion through a central catheter line. 

Who Should Take Cisplatin

• Many types of cancer (breast, bladder, kidneys, ovaries, thyroid, stomach, lungs, bones, nerve tissues, joints, and soft tissue)
• Lymphoma Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin and certain types of leukemia
• Multiple myeloma

Who Shouldn’t Take Cisplatin

• You should not be treated with cisplatin if you are allergic to it
• Women should not become pregnant; fetal exposure to cisplatin can cause severe congenital disabilities. Men receiving cisplatin should not father a child because it is present in sperm for at least 11 months after their last dose

The Most Common Side Effects of Taking Cisplatin Include: 

• Vision problems
• Hearing problems
• Kidney problems (little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath)
• Neuropathy (numbness or tingling)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Infections
• Low white blood cell counts (fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing)
• Bone marrow suppression (dizziness, pale lips or fingernail beds, fast heart rate, getting easily tired or short of breath)

Commonly Used With

• Doxorubicin
• Cyclophosphamide
• Etoposide
• Dexamethasone
• Thalidomide

Currently Being Tested With 

• Steroids: Dexamethasone
• Chemotherapy drugs: Adriamycin, Vincristine, Cisplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Melphalan
• Immunomodulators agents: Thalidomide
• Proteasome inhibitors: Bortezomib

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