Exocrine pancreatic function in man after cytotoxic treatment

Using the secretin-pancreozymin test, the function of the exocrine pancreas was studied in patients with malignant disease before and after massive-dose therapy with cyclophosphamide and before and after combined cytotoxic treatment (as outlined by De Vita). The investigations further included an examination of the exocrine pancreatic function in subjects on maintenance therapy with clyclophosphamide of Myleran and a comparison with the exocrine pancreatic function in a group of controls. In the patients on massive-dose or continued therapy with cyclophosphamide the volume of the duodenal secretion and the bicarbonate, electrolyte and enzyme outputs in the duodenal secretion remained essentially unchanged. In contrast, cytotoxic combination treatment resulted in decreased activities of amylase and lipase, and in some cases of trypsin. After maintenance treatment with Myleran a reduction of the trypsin and amylase activities was detectable; chymotrypsin and lipase were found to be slighthly lowered.