Role of carboplatin in ovarian cancer. Current results and thoughts for the future.

Carboplatin is a cisplatin analog that causes less nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity and nausea and vomiting than its parent compound. In prospective clinical trials, carboplatin has been shown to be as active, but less toxic, than cisplatin in previously untreated patients with advanced ovarian cancer. However, carboplatin has not led to improved survival, compared with cisplatin. Studies are in progress to reduce the dose-limiting myelo-suppression of carboplatin in order to increase the dose intensity. In addition, new carboplatin combinations are also to be evaluated in clinical trials. The molecular basis for resistance to platinum compounds is also undergoing study and future clinical trials will evaluate modulations of resistance.