Cisplatin
Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug used as a first-line treatment for mesothelioma in combination with pemetrexed. It works by cross-linking DNA strands within cancer cells, preventing replication and triggering cell death. Cisplatin has been a cornerstone of cancer treatment since its FDA approval in 1978.
In the standard mesothelioma chemotherapy regimen, cisplatin is paired with pemetrexed and administered intravenously every 21 days. The two drugs work through complementary mechanisms — cisplatin damages cancer cell DNA while pemetrexed blocks the metabolic pathways needed to repair that damage — producing a synergistic anti-tumor effect.
Cisplatin's most significant side effects include kidney toxicity (nephrotoxicity), hearing loss (ototoxicity), nausea, and nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy). Patients receive aggressive hydration during treatment to protect kidney function. For patients who cannot tolerate cisplatin, carboplatin is used as a substitute with a more manageable side effect profile.
While cisplatin-based chemotherapy has been the standard first-line treatment for nearly two decades, immunotherapy now offers an alternative for some patients. Treatment selection depends on cell type, patient health, and treatment goals. Discuss these options with your oncology team.
- Also known as
- Platinol, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum
- Category
- Treatment
- Related terms
- Pemetrexed, Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Mesothelioma, Clinical Trial
Have questions about Cisplatin? Our attorneys can explain how this applies to your situation — at no cost.