CALVERTCarboplatin Individualized Dosing
Dosing Parameters
Common targets: 2 (low) to 6 (standard).
Often calculated via Cockcroft-Gault.
Total Carboplatin Dose
Enter AUC & GFR
FDA safety note: Most clinical guidelines recommend capping the GFR at 125 mL/min when using the Calvert formula to avoid toxicity from overdosing in patients with exceptionally high kidney function.
Guidelines & Evidence
Verified
Last Review: 2026
When to Use
Clinical Use
Determining the total milligram dose of Carboplatin for any regimen.
Used in Lung, Ovarian, Breast, and Head/Neck oncology protocols.
Requires an estimate of the patient's Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and the clinician's target Area Under the Curve (AUC).
How it Works
The Calvert Equation
Total Dose (mg) = Target AUC * (GFR + 25)
Standard AUC Targets
| Setting | Typical AUC |
|---|---|
| Single Agent | 5 - 7 |
| Combination (e.g., with Paclitaxel) | 5 - 6 |
| Prior extensive chemo / radiation | 4 - 5 |
| Radiosensitization | 1.5 - 2 |
Clinical Pearls
The GFR Capping Rule
In 2010, the FDA and NCCN recommended capping the GFR used in the Calvert formula at 125 mL/min. This prevents excessive dosing in patients with "hyperfiltration" or inaccurate GFR estimates (e.g., very muscular patients), which could lead to severe myelosuppression.
Cockcroft-Gault vs. Measured GFR
While the Calvert formula was originally developed using Chromium-EDTA to measure GFR, modern practice typically uses the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Clinicians must be cautious with patients with low serum creatinine (e.g., elderly, cachectic), as this can falsely overestimate GFR and lead to toxic dosing.
The Evidence
Key Reference
Carboplatin dosage: prospective evaluation of a simple formula based on renal function
Calvert AH et al. • Journal of Clinical Oncology. 1989;7(11):1748-56
Last Comprehensive Review: 2026