Cisplatin is a well-known chemotherapeutic agent. It is used for treatment of numerous human cancers including lung, bladder, head and neck, ovarian, and testicular cancers. The cisplatin injection is effective against several types of cancers, including lymphomas, carcinomas, germ cell tumors, and sarcomas. Its mode of action has been associated with its ability in order to crosslink with the purine bases on the DNA; interfering with the DNA repair mechanisms, causing the DNA damage, and subsequently inducing the apoptosis in the cancerous cells.
The combination therapies of cisplatin with certain other medications have been highly considered in order to overcome the drug resistance and reduce the toxicity.
Approval: Cisplatin falls under the platinum based antineoplastic family of drugs, which works in part in order to bind to the DNA and inhibits its replication.
In the year of 1845, this agent was discovered and licensed for medical use in 1978 & 1979.
Dosage Form: Cisplatin comes in the form of injection generically and under the brand name Platinol. The recommended dose of cisplatin for injection should be administered intravenously.
The recommended dose of cisplatin for advanced testicular cancer is 20 mg/m2 daily for 5 days per cycle.
The recommended dose of cisplatin for advanced ovarian cancer: 75 mg/m2 to 100 mg/m2 per cycle once every 3-4 weeks.
The recommended dose for advanced bladder cancer is cisplatin 50 mg/m2 to 70 mg/m2 intravenously per cycle once every 3-4 weeks.
Side Effects: Side effects of cisplatin are usually not life threatening. The commonly reported side effects include nephrotoxicity, myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, vomiting, and ototoxicity.
Cost: The cisplatin price in India may vary depending on the wholesaler/pharmacy and of course the brand you choose. The cost of cisplatin starts from around 278 INR to 590 INR for a supply of a single vial of injection.
