Why are platinum salts used in some cancer chemotherapy drugs?

Platinum salts, such as cisplatin and carboplatin, are utilized in cancer chemotherapy primarily because of their ability to damage the DNA of rapidly dividing cancer cells.123

Once inside a cell, these platinum-based agents undergo chemical activation and form covalent bonds with DNA, creating cross-links between adjacent bases. These cross-links distort the structure of the DNA double helix, which physically blocks essential cellular processes such as DNA replication and transcription.241

Because cancer cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells and rely heavily on accurate DNA copying, they are particularly sensitive to this structural damage. When the damage is unrepairable, it triggers apoptosis, or programmed cell death, effectively limiting tumor growth. While these drugs are foundational in treating various cancers, they are often used in combination with other agents to enhance efficacy, mitigate toxicity, and overcome potential drug resistance.124