Cisplatin chemotherapy has been used to treat many different cancers, including mesothelioma, since its approval by the FDA in 1978.¹ Cisplatin plus pemetrexed, another chemotherapy drug, is the most effective chemotherapy treatment for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. 

Cisplatin’s Success in Treating Other Cancers

Cisplatin treats many other cancers, including 

• Adrenocortical carcinoma
• Anal cancer
• Biliary tract cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Brain metastases
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
• Head and neck cancer
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Osteosarcoma
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Penile cancer
• Primary central nervous system lymphoma
• Prostate cancer
• Small cell lung cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Thymic cancer

Cisplatin is commonly used in a multimodal approach, meaning it is combined with other chemotherapy drugs, like pemetrexed, and other cancer therapies such as surgery and radiation. Combination treatment generally leads to better outcomes than what can be achieved with one drug or one kind of cancer therapy alone.

How Cisplatin Works

Cisplatin works to inhibit the synthesis of a cell’s genetic material. This inhibition of DNA synthesis helps keep in check the uncontrollable proliferation of cancer cells.

Side Effects of Cisplatin

Common side effects of cisplatin include

• Low blood counts (white blood cells, healthy red blood cells, and platelets)
• Elevated liver enzymes 
• Decreased kidney function
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Ringing in the ears
• Hearing loss
• Numbness and tingling
• Nerve pain
• Weakness²