Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity
Published on: April 26, 2012
Carboplatin and hypomagnesemia: Is it really a problem?
Gregory Gaughran1, Kiran Qayyum2, Lillian Smyth2
1Department of Medical Oncology, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Background:
Carboplatin has largely replaced cisplatin in ovarian/peritoneal/tubal cancer (OC) due to comparable activity and reduced toxicity, particularly nephrotoxicity and hypomagnesemia. Anecdotally hypomagnesemia occurs commonly with carboplatin, however there are limited data available regarding frequency or severity.
Aims:
To quantify incidence and severity of hypomagnesemia in patients receiving carboplatin-based chemotherapy for OC; to explore a dose-response relationship with carboplatin and assess potential confounding variables.
Methods:
A retrospective single-center review of all OC patients receiving carboplatin-based chemotherapy as first/subsequent line between 2012 and 2018 was performed. Data on patient/disease characteristics, potential confounders (gastrointestinal/renal impairment, premorbid hypomagnesemia and concomitant medications), dose, electrolytes, and magnesium replacement were collected.
Results:
One hundred four of 144 (72%) patients had at least one hypomagnesemia event, 11 of 104 (11%) grade 2, and 11 of 104 (11%) grade 3/4 in severity. Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between hypomagnesemia and treatment duration (P < .001). Premorbid hypomagnesemia was associated with a significantly longer duration and higher grade of hypomagnesemia (P = .021 and P < .001, respectively). Vomiting, diarrhea, and confounding medications were associated with hypomagnesemia (P = .019 and P = .028, respectively). Fourteen percent of hypomagnesemia events never resolved suggesting a significant cohort post-carboplatin are at risk of long-term renal toxicity. The effect of magnesium replacement could not be accurately assessed due to limited documentation of replacement.
Conclusion:
Hypomagnesemia is common in patients receiving carboplatin-based chemotherapy for OC, and although generally mild, a significant minority were severe. Several high-risk groups were identified including patients with premorbid hypomagnesemia, vomiting, diarrhea, or taking certain medications. Further research is warranted to understand when hypomagnesemia is clinically relevant and determine the impact of interventions.
More Related Videos
08:51Multiple Intravenous Bolus Dosing and Invasive Hemodynamic Assessment in a Hypoxia-Induced Mouse Pulmonary Artery Hypertension Model
Published on: November 11, 2022
12:55Generation of CAR T Cells for Adoptive Therapy in the Context of Glioblastoma Standard of Care
Published on: February 16, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects
Unlike...
Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...