Gustafson's study appeared in the November issue of the journal Biopolymers . Scientists think that in this way, a molecule of cisplatin or carboplatin locks onto a strand of DNA and prevents it from replicating. This, in turn, causes the death of the cell. The results also agree with clinical studies done by other researchers showing that for carboplatin to have the same efficacy as cisplatin, a larger dose must be given for a longer period of time. In fact, recommended doses of carboplatin tend to be four to 10 times higher than for cisplatin.
Raman spectroscopy uses laser light to study the vibrational motion of molecules.
That, in turn, gives information about the structure of the molecules. Gustafson will next study the interaction of the drugs with short lengths of DNA assembled in the laboratory. As we continue this work, it should provide an opportunity to fine-tune the chemistry of these drugs to make them less toxic and more effective. Return to the OSU Cancer homepage .