Carboplatin dose calculator (Calvert formula)
Carboplatin is dosed to a target area under the curve (AUC) rather than by body surface area. The Calvert formula calculates the dose based on the target AUC and the patient’s kidney function. ONCOassist provides carboplatin dose calculation using the Calvert formula, with GFR estimated using either the Cockcroft-Gault or Wright equation.
The formula
Carboplatin dose (mg) = Target AUC (mg/mL·min) × (GFR mL/min + 25)
Cockcroft-Gault creatinine clearance (mL/min) = ((140 − Age) × Weight (kg) × (1.23 for Male or 1.04 for Female)) ÷ Serum Creatinine (micromol/litre)
The US FDA recommends limiting estimated GFR to 125 mL/min when calculating carboplatin dose using serum creatinine.
Worked example
A 60-year-old woman, weighing 72 kg, with serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL and a prescribed target AUC of 5 mg·min/mL.
Using Cockcroft–Gault estimated creatinine clearance in the Calvert formula:
- CrCl = [(140 − 60) × 72] ÷ (72 × 1.0) × 0.85 = 80 × 0.85 = 68 mL/min
- Carboplatin dose = 5 × (68 + 25) = 465 mg
Calculate carboplatin doses in ONCOassist
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Frequently asked questions
Why is carboplatin dosed by AUC?
Carboplatin clearance depends strongly on kidney function, and drug exposure influences both efficacy and toxicity. AUC-based dosing accounts for kidney function to calculate a dose intended to achieve the prescribed target exposure.
Where does the “+25” come from?
The constant 25 mL/min represents the estimated non-renal clearance of carboplatin in the Calvert formula. Adding it to GFR provides an estimate of total carboplatin clearance.
Reference
Calvert AH et al. Carboplatin dosage: prospective evaluation of a simple formula based on renal function. J Clin Oncol. 1989;7(11):1748–1756. doi:10.1200/JCO.1989.7.11.1748
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Lakshmi Ramachandran, MBBS (JIPMER, India), CCEPC, MD Radiation Oncology (JIPMER, India), Clinical Officer, ONCOassist. Last reviewed November 2026.