Platinum's role in helping to fight cancer has been tested in a new global study that seeks to examine the efficacy of the precious metal in chemotherapy.

A trial conducted by the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in Herston, Australia, and the Scottish Gynaecological Cancer Trials Group, sought to examine different treatments using the combination of docetaxel and carboplatin.

These platinum agents were tested in comparison with the current standard, paclitaxel and carboplatin, in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Results from the 1,000-plus sample showed that the two treatments offered similar rates of survival compared with the current standard, but that the new combination was less toxic.

Studies also suggested that the new treatment offered a number of improvements in "quality of life" parameters.

Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital's Paul A. Vasey led the research, with the team concluding that docetaxel-carboplatin should be viewed as an alternative to treatment with paclitaxel-carboplatin for women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer.