Cisplatin is an anti-cancer drug with the formula Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂.

Cisplatin works by bonding to strands of DNA, distorting their shape and preventing replication of the cells.

Cisplatin undergoes a ligand substitution reaction with DNA.

Cisplatin bonds to nitrogen atoms on two adjacent guanine bases on opposite strands of DNA.

The nitrogen atoms of the guanine molecules have lone pairs of electrons which form dative covalent bonds with the platinum in cisplatin.

Cisplatin has a greater effect on cancer cells because they replicate faster than healthy cells.

Cisplatin binds to DNA in healthy cells and prevents them from replicating (in the same way as it does for cancerous cells).

Cells that replicate quickly such as hair follicles are particularly affected by cisplatin - this is why patients undergoing chemotherapy often lose their hair.

Cisplain is still used to treat cancer because the balance of the long-term positive effects (i.e. curing cancer) outweigh the the negative short-term side effects.