[Trials on expanding the clinical application of cisplatin]

Recent phase II trials of cisplatin indicated a significant single agent activity on gastric cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and, therefore, clinical usefulness in combination with other agents has been under investigation. Single agent efficacy on colorectal cancer and malignant melanoma is limited but investigation of combination regimens containing cisplatin is in progress to obtain additive or synergistic effect. Past results suggest some activity on pancreatic cancer and hepatoma. However, more data need to judge the effectiveness on both tumors.