Pharmacokinetic analysis in intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy of far-advanced gastric cancer patients

The pharmacokinetics of mitomycin C (MMC) has been evaluated in 10 far-advanced gastric cancer patients by means of an intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion (IPHP) using MMC to prevent and/or treat peritoneal dissemination. Further, misonidazole (MIS), which was used as a thermosensitizer, also was evaluated. The IPHP was performed for 120 min right after surgical procedure, using a closed-circuit with an inflow perfusate temperature from 46.3 approximately 47.5 degrees C and an outflow temperature of 44.0 approximately 46.0 degrees C. The MMC level in the perfusate was 10 micrograms/ml at the onset of IPHP and thereafter decreased to 1.7 +/- 0.4 micrograms/ml minutes later. The average AUC (area under the curve) in the perfusate was 3.3 micrograms/ml during the IPHP. The MMC level in the peripheral blood was 0.15 +/- 0.04 micrograms/ml 30 min after start of the IPHP and increased to 0.18 +/- 0.05 micrograms/ml at the end of IPHP. Additionally, the MIS level in the peripheral blood was 64.7 +/- 10.3 micrograms/ml 60 min after the IPHP, 60.6 +/- 9.2 micrograms/ml at 120 min, and then decreased to 32.8 +/- 10.3 micrograms/ml at 12 hours after IPHP. The AUC was calculated as being 975 micrograms.hr/ml. Again, the level in the portal vein blood was calculated from the peritoneal permeability and the peripheral blood level of the drug. From data, it was concluded that the perfusate and portal vein blood level of MMC, the peripheral blood level of MIS, as well as the perfusate temperature, are important in providing a favorable, safe, antitumoral treatment.