Platinum Drugs: Chemistry and Cancer Treatment

This lecture discusses the importance of organic chemistry in everyday compounds, focusing on platinum-based drugs for cancer treatment. It highlights the history of cisplatin, the first platinum drug approved by the U.S. FDA in 1978, and explains how these drugs function by binding to DNA, preventing replication, and ultimately leading to cancer cell death. The lecture covers various platinum drugs, including carboplatin and oxaliplatin, and their effectiveness in treating different cancer types. It also addresses the issue of drug resistance in cancer cells and the ongoing development of new platinum compounds to enhance efficacy and reduce side effects. The instructor emphasizes the significance of understanding the chemical mechanisms behind these treatments and their impact on patient care.