Gastrointestinal toxicity of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)

A review is presented of preclinical and clinical data on the gastrointestinal toxicity of cisplatin. Administration may lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, liver function test abnormalities and exceptionally, to increased amylase levels. Nausea and vomiting are a major side effect and further studies on antiemetic drugs are urgently needed, as is the development of cisplatin analogues which produce less gastrointestinal adverse reactions.