Successful carboplatin desensitization in patients with proven carboplatin allergy.

BACKGROUND

Carboplatin is one of the most useful and well tolerated cytotoxic drugs for gynecologic malignancies. Hypersensitivity to carboplatin is not rare among patients receiving multiple recurrent treatments with this drug. The aim of the current study was to offer a safe and convenient carboplatin desensitization strategy to patients with a proven allergic reaction to this drug.

METHODS

Patients with an immediate objective allergic reaction to carboplatin were skin tested with the drug. A 6-hour carboplatin desensitization protocol was administered to the patients with a carboplatin-positive skin test on each of the following treatment courses.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients with an allergic reaction to carboplatin and a positive skin test were included in the current study. Twenty patients (86.9%) were desensitized. One patient developed a mild urticarial rash. Nineteen patients tolerated 80 desensitization courses uneventfully.

CONCLUSIONS

The data presented a successful desensitization protocol for individuals with a proven allergic reaction to carboplatin. The protocol was safe and convenient and offered an effective therapeutic strategy to patients who required this drug.