Cisplatin vs Carboplatin and oxaliplatin
How to tell Cisplatin and Carboplatin and oxaliplatin apart when a board question makes them look alike.
Cisplatin equals kidney/ear; carboplatin equals marrow; oxaliplatin equals cold neuropathy.
Side by side
Platinum DNA crosslinker with the classic kidney-ear-emesis pattern: nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neuropathy, and severe nausea.
Carboplatin is more myelosuppressive; oxaliplatin is colorectal-linked with cold-triggered peripheral neuropathy.
Cisplatin forms intra- and interstrand DNA crosslinks that block replication and transcription.
Carboplatin and oxaliplatin also crosslink DNA but differ in dose-limiting toxicity and clinical anchors.
Rising creatinine, electrolyte wasting, tinnitus, or high-frequency hearing loss points cisplatin.
Thrombocytopenia points carboplatin; cold dysesthesia and colorectal regimens point oxaliplatin.
The trap
All platinum drugs can cause neuropathy or hypersensitivity, so use the dose-limiting toxicity and cancer context.
The repair move
For platinum agents, memorize one toxicity anchor before memorizing the cancer list.
Try a free question
CoreA patient treated for testicular cancer develops rising creatinine, tinnitus, and severe nausea after receiving a platinum agent that crosslinks DNA. Which drug is most associated with this toxicity pattern?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Cisplatin. Cisplatin forms DNA crosslinks and is classically limited by nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neuropathy, and severe nausea.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Carboplatin is more myelosuppressive and less nephrotoxic/ototoxic than cisplatin.
- C. Oxaliplatin is remembered for peripheral neuropathy and cold sensitivity.
- D. Cyclophosphamide is an alkylator remembered for hemorrhagic cystitis.
- E. Doxorubicin is an anthracycline remembered for cardiotoxicity.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What is the fastest separator for Cisplatin vs Carboplatin and oxaliplatin?
Cisplatin equals kidney/ear; carboplatin equals marrow; oxaliplatin equals cold neuropathy.
What clue should make you choose Cisplatin?
Platinum DNA crosslinker with the classic kidney-ear-emesis pattern: nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neuropathy, and severe nausea.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Cisplatin from Carboplatin and oxaliplatin?
Cisplatin equals kidney/ear; carboplatin equals marrow; oxaliplatin equals cold neuropathy.
What is the key clue for Cisplatin?
Platinum DNA crosslinker with the classic kidney-ear-emesis pattern: nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neuropathy, and severe nausea.
What is the key clue for Carboplatin and oxaliplatin?
Carboplatin is more myelosuppressive; oxaliplatin is colorectal-linked with cold-triggered peripheral neuropathy.
What is the common trap with Cisplatin vs Carboplatin and oxaliplatin?
All platinum drugs can cause neuropathy or hypersensitivity, so use the dose-limiting toxicity and cancer context.