Cisplatin went on to become a top-selling cancer drug, but again the road was rocky, this time because of patient backlash. Cisplatin had terrible side effects. The kidney toxicity almost killed the drug, and it caused such severe nausea and vomiting that people refused to take it. But now a very good drug stops the nausea and vomiting, and hydration takes care of the kidney toxicity. But with the recent reports, the long history of success in treating certain cancers, and more than a dozen clinical trials ongoing to explore new indications, the story of cisplatin isn't over.
Science never is.
1154-61, April 15, 1999. Inc. All rights reserved. We welcome your opinion.