Cisplatin versus carboplatin: comparative review of therapeutic management in solid malignancies

The platinum analogues, cisplatin and carboplatin, are among the most widely used chemotherapeutic agents in oncology. Both agents have a broad spectrum of clinical activity in numerous malignancies including gynaecological cancers, germ cell tumours, head and neck cancer, thoracic cancers and bladder cancer. Although the final mechanism of inducing tumour cell apoptosis is similar for both compounds, cisplatin has been shown to be more effective in treating specific tumour types. Whilst more favourable toxicity profiles are often associated with carboplatin, this can frequently translate to inferior response in certain malignancies. This review succinctly collates the evidence for the preferential use of these platinum analogues in particular settings in addition to the long-standing dilemma surrounding the paucity of biomarkers predicting response to these agents.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology. 2016 Mar 24 [Epub ahead of print]

Gwo Yaw Ho, Natasha Woodward, Jermaine I G Coward

School of Medicine, University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia; Mater Health Services, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia; Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia., Mater Health Services, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia., School of Medicine, University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia; Mater Health Services, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia; Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia. Electronic address: .