Carboplatin-related toxicity in children with cancer

Carboplatin is characterized by a subcellular mechanism of action similar to that of cisplatin although its clinical spectrum of side effects differs somewhat from that of cisplatin. Its half-life is 170 ± 34 minutes and is independent of dose; myelosuppression represents its dose-limiting toxicity. Many studies have shown that carboplatin has no clinically apparent nephrotoxicity or neurotoxicity; therefore, carboplatin may be an alternative to cisplatin in clinical circumstances where the renal or neural toxicities are dose-limiting considerations. In patients with normal renal function, carboplatin can be administered up to 600 mg/sqm with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia reversing within 14 days of drug administration. In our review, we describe the pharmacological profile and the toxicities related to the use of carboplatin for the treatment of children with cancer.