Platinum-based chemotherapy in childhood causes mutations that age the liver

Platinum-based chemotherapy — particularly cisplatin and carboplatin — has significantly improved survival rates for children diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer. These treatments have elevated the five-year survival rate for localized tumors from 20% to over 80%. This remarkable advancement highlights the critical role of these agents in pediatric oncology.

However, the mechanism by which these drugs operate involves damaging the DNA of both cancerous and healthy cells, potentially leading to mutations that could increase the risk of secondary cancers later in life. While such mutations have been well-documented in adult populations, their implications for children have remained less understood. A recent study published in Science aims to clarify the long-term effects of platinum-based agents on the liver in pediatric patients treated for hepatoblastoma, raising important questions about the balance between immediate therapeutic benefits and long-term health risks.