How is cis platin used to treat cancer?

Two groups (Georgia, Mila & Charlotte and, Ben & Aren) discussed how is cis-platin used to treat cancer?

Cis-platin, also known as cisdiamminedichloroplatinum(II), is an anticancer drug that damages DNA in order to prevent the replication of tumour cells. This treats different cancers ranging from lung to ovarian cancer.

Cis-platin’s specific square planar structure allows the hydrolysis mechanism to occur which eventually results in the distortion of DNA. High-mobility proteins recognise the distortions in the DNA, and this results in cell death through apoptosis or necrosis. However, cis-platin causes more severe side effects than similar platinum containing treatments and so, in some cases, these are preferable over cisplatin. Carboplatin has a bidenate dicarboxylate ligand in place of the chloride ligands in cisplatin. This means that the leaving groups are more stable to substitution and so carboplatin has reduced side effects; when compared to cis-platin, it does not cause any damage to the kidneys.

However, carboplatin has an effect which causes the bone marrow to produce less blood cells and platelets. Rates can be as low as 10% of normal production. Carboplatin is also much less potent than cis-platin; it can require up to 4 times as much carboplatin to receive the same effectiveness as one dose of cis-platin. There is also the problem of tumour resistance and so other compounds are used to try and combat this. Whilst cisplatin is effective, in most cases, science is constantly developing and so, it is used more often in conjunction with other platinum-based compounds.