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Cisplatin

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 (sis-PLA-tin)

Cisplatin is a type of chemotherapy drug called an alkylating agent. It contains the metal platinum. It damages the DNA of dividing cells in a way that cannot be repaired. This stops or slows the growth of cancer cells and other rapidly dividing cells and causes them to die.

FDA Approved
Yes

FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.

Use in Cancer

Cisplatin is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

  • Bladder cancer. It is used alone in patients with advanced cancer that cannot be treated with other therapies, such as surgery or radiation therapy.
  • Ovarian cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used with other drugs in patients who have already had surgery or radiation therapy. It is used alone in patients whose cancer has not gotten better with standard chemotherapy and who have not received previous cisplatin.
  • Testicular cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used with other drugs in patients who have already had surgery or radiation therapy.

Cisplatin is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

More About Cisplatin

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Cisplatin - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

  • warnings about this drug,
  • what this drug is used for and how it is used,
  • what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
  • what you should know about this drug before using it,
  • other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
  • possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Research Results and Related Resources

Preventing Chemo Brain? Study Identifies Potential Approach for Common Problem

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Cisplatin - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.

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