Cisplatin plus paclitaxel has been standard in the first-line treatment of ovarian cancer since the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) 111 trial showed a significant improvement in survival in patients receiving this regimen, compared with cisplatin plus cyclophosphamide, in 1996.*Results from 2 similar large-scale trials in the US and Europe presented at the 35th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology [Atlanta, US; May 1999] now indicate that carboplatin should replace cisplatin in the platinum/paclitaxel combination for standard treatment. Both trials showed equivalent efficacy and reduced toxicity with carboplatin, and that shortening the infusion time from 24 to 3 hours does not affect efficacy. Carboplatin is also more convenient to administer, with potentially reduced complication rates, reduced hospitalisation rates and reduced costs.