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Class: Platinum analog.
Category: Cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Mechanism of action: Binds DNA and inhibits DNA synthesis and replication (cell cycle non-specific).
Indications (wide use):
- Gynecologic tumors: Ovarian, endometrial cancer.
- Germ cell tumors.
- Head and neck tumors.
- Lung cancer (both
non small - Bladder cancer.
- Acute leukemias (relapse and refractory disease).
Side effects (toxicity):
- Renal toxicity (use platinum credit card mnemonic below).
- Bone marrow
supression . - Nausea and vomiting.
- Peripheral neuropathy.
- Increased liver enzymes.
Of note, hair loss and severe allergic reactions (hypotension, bronchospasm) are uncommon.
Mnemonics and other tips:
Use the analogy of the Platinum credit card for Platinum analogs:
To recap:
- ATM = ATN.
- Losing our money hurts (peripheral neuropathy).
- Losing our money makes our poor (cytopenias).
Founder & Autor at Ecuadoctors.com
Hematology/Oncology Fellow at BUSM | Former Internal Medicine Residency/Chief Resident at UCONN | Website Developer & Author at Ecuadoctors.com
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