[Experimental study of intralymphatic chemotherapy in rabbits]

In order to examine the clinical usefulness of intralymphatic chemotherapy and the regimen of the appropriate anticancer drug for this route, we measured serum and tissue drug levels following intralymphatic administration of Futraful (FT) or Neocarzinostatin (NCS) in rabbits. The results were as follows: When a low-molecular-weight drug such as FT was administered into the lymphatic vessels, most of the drug flowed into the systemic circulation through the thoracic duct, but some leaked from the lymphatic vessels and flowed into the portal vein via the intestine. In the case of a high-molecular-weight drug such as NCS, there was a tendency for it to remain in the lymph nodes. It therefore seems that a drug of high molecular weight is most suitable for use in intralymphatic administration.