[Carboplatin in pediatrics]

The use of carboplatin has become frequent in children solid tumours because of lower renal and otologic risks as compared to cisplatin. The efficacy of carboplatin has mainly been demonstrated when used in combination with other cytotoxic drugs: few phase II studies of carboplatin alone have been published in children. Because of its limiting haematologic toxicity, carboplatin has become the main platinum compound when used at high dose with hematopoietic stem cell rescue. Formula have been developed specifically in children to allow a determination of the prescribed dose using a targeted "area under the curve" rather than dose in mg/m2, which allows a better individual therapeutic adaptation. Long term follow-up after carboplatin treatment in childhood is mandatory mainly because of the mutagenic and hypofecondity potential risks.