How it is administered

Carboplatin is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, meaning it is delivered directly into your vein through a drip. The medication comes as a sterile solution and is available in different vial sizes for dosing flexibility. The infusion typically lasts at least 15 minutes, but the exact duration can vary depending on your treatment plan and whether you are receiving carboplatin alone or in combination with other medicines.

How it works

Carboplatin is a type of chemotherapy known as a platinum-based agent. It works by attaching to the DNA inside cancer cells and forming cross-links between DNA strands. This prevents the cancer cells from copying their DNA and dividing, which ultimately leads to cell death. Unlike some other chemotherapy drugs, carboplatin's action is not specific to a particular phase of the cell cycle, so it can affect cancer cells at various stages of growth.

Carboplatin is eliminated from the body mainly through the kidneys, so kidney function is important in determining the right dose. The drug is often used in combination with other chemotherapy agents to improve its effectiveness. Because it targets rapidly dividing cells, it can also affect some healthy cells, which leads to side effects.

Who Should take it

Carboplatin is approved for use in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, both as an initial therapy in combination with other chemotherapy agents (such as cyclophosphamide) and as a single agent for patients whose cancer has returned after prior chemotherapy. While it is not specifically approved for peripheral T-cell lymphoma, carboplatin may be used off-label in certain blood cancers, including lymphomas, as part of combination chemotherapy regimens, especially when other treatments are not suitable.

Your doctor will determine if carboplatin is appropriate for you based on your type of cancer, previous treatments, kidney function, and overall health. It is important to have regular blood tests to monitor your blood counts and kidney function during treatment.

Who should not take it

Carboplatin should not be used in patients who have had severe allergic reactions to platinum-containing compounds (such as cisplatin) or to carboplatin itself. It is also contraindicated in people with severe bone marrow depression (very low blood cell counts) or significant bleeding problems. If you are pregnant, carboplatin may cause harm to the unborn baby and should be avoided unless clearly needed.

People with significantly impaired kidney function may not be able to tolerate carboplatin, and dose adjustments or alternative treatments may be necessary. Always inform your healthcare provider about your full medical history before starting treatment.

Commonly used with

Carboplatin is often used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to increase its effectiveness. The most established combination is with cyclophosphamide, especially for ovarian cancer. It may also be combined with other agents depending on your specific cancer type and treatment plan.

If you are being treated for a blood cancer such as lymphoma, carboplatin may be part of a multi-drug regimen tailored to your needs.

Commonly tested with

Carboplatin has been tested in clinical trials with other chemotherapy agents such as cyclophosphamide and cisplatin. It is also studied in combination with supportive medications like antiemetics (to prevent nausea) and, in some regimens, with drugs that help protect the kidneys or bone marrow.

In research settings, carboplatin is sometimes evaluated with newer targeted therapies or immunotherapies for various blood cancers.