Etoposide phosphate: new preparation. Makes outpatient therapy easier

The clinical file on etoposide phosphate provides no new efficacy data. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that non esterified etoposide can be replaced by etoposide phosphate; the latter is rapidly metabolised and yields the same amount of bioavailable etoposide. The only available comparative trial showed no difference in adverse effects between etoposide phosphate and non esterified etoposide. The small size of this trial rules out conclusions on infrequent adverse effects such as those possibly due to the solvents in non esterified etoposide. The main value of etoposide phosphate is its simplicity of use, which should make it more suitable for treatment at home: contrary to non esterified etoposide it can be administered as a short infusion, is compatible with all infusion equipment, and appears to be stable in various types of aqueous solution.