There are roughly 150,000 new cases of lung cancer every year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Carboplatin, also known as Carbo, and Paclitaxel, also known as Taxol, are two chemotherapy agents that are used in treating lung cancer. They often are used together, known as the Carbo Taxol regimen, to treat advanced lung cancer.
Identification
Carboplatin belongs to a group of chemotherapy drugs called alkylating agents. It binds to DNA and interferes with repair mechanisms of cancer cells. This ultimately leads to the death of cancer cells, according to MayoClinic.com.
Taxol belongs to a group of chemotherapy drugs called antimicrotubule agents. It inhibits cell division and eventually leads to the death of cancer cells.
Effects
According to "Clinical Oncology," the Carbo Taxol treatment has similar effects on survival of lung cancer patients in comparison to other combination chemotherapy regimens, such as Cisplatin Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Paclitaxel.
Expert Insight
According to a 2006 study published in "New England Journal of Medicine," adding bevacizumab to the Carbo Taxol treatment improves survival of lung cancer patients, compared to using only Carbo Taxol.
Benefits
Prior to the 1990s, chemotherapy for lung cancer often was based on Cisplatin, which has significant side effects. According to "Clinical Oncology," while Carboplatin's efficacy against lung cancer is similar to that of Cisplatin, the side effects of Carboplatin are fewer and less severe than those of Cisplatin.
Side Effects
Side effects of the Carbo Taxol treatment include nausea, weight loss or weight gain, being susceptible to chicken pox, fatigue, a low white blood cell count and hair loss, according to Cancer.help.org.uk.
