etoposide + carboplatin

Etoposide + carboplatin is a combination chemotherapy regimen primarily used to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other small cell cancers such as small cell bladder cancer. Etoposide is a semisynthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin that inhibits DNA synthesis by forming a complex with topoisomerase II and DNA, leading to double-stranded DNA breaks and preventing repair. This results in the accumulation of DNA damage and ultimately induces apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells[6]. Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent that causes crosslinking of DNA strands through platinum-DNA adduct formation, inhibiting replication and transcription processes essential for cancer cell survival[2][8]. The combination exploits different mechanisms to maximize cytotoxicity against tumor cells. This regimen is considered standard first-line therapy for extensive-stage SCLC[5], administered intravenously in cycles.

Brand names

EtopophosVepesid

Other names

Carbo/EtopCE regimencarboplatin-etoposide regimen