Successful desensitization protocol for patients with hypersensitivity reactions caused by carboplatin

: We report the successful desensitization of a patient with a hypersensitivity reaction to carboplatin. A 54-year-old woman with advanced ovarian cancer went into remission after 10 courses of paclitaxel plus carboplatin (TC). After 7 months, cancer recurred in the vaginal cuff, and surgery was performed. Cancer recurred again in the vaginal cuff 6 months later, and she was administered TC. A hypersensitivity reaction attributed to carboplatin occurred during the third and fourth courses, and the drug was withdrawn. Because the initial response to TC was good, we decided to attempt desensitization to carboplatin. The desensitization procedure was successful, and the patient subsequently tolerated four additional courses of TC, with no further signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity. A complete response was achieved. A carboplatin desensitization regimen may allow patients with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer to continue to benefit from therapy.