Pharmacokinetics of carboplatin after intraperitoneal administration

The pharmacokinetics of carboplatin, ultrafilterable platinum, and total platinum after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration were studied in peritoneal fluid, plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), and urine during a phase-I trial in patients with minimal, residual ovarian cancer. Samples were collected from 7 patients who had received carboplatin (200-500 mg/m2) in 21 dialysis fluid. The fluid was withdrawn after a 4-h dwell. Platinum concentrations were measured by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry, and intact carboplatin was determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Peak concentrations of carboplatin in plasma were obtained 2 h after the end of instillation. The mean ratio of peak concentrations of carboplatin in instilled fluid and plasma was 24 +/- 11. The peritoneal clearance of carboplatin was 8 +/- 3 ml/min, which was 12 times less than the plasma clearance (93 +/- 32 ml/min). Due to this clearance ratio, the AUCs for the peritoneal cavity were about 10 times higher than those for plasma. On average, 34% +/- 14% of the dose was still present in the instillation fluid that had been withdrawn after a dwell time of 4 h. In plasma, the mean value of AUC/Dnet (Dnet = Dose - amount recovered from the peritoneal cavity) after i.p. administration was comparable with that of AUC/D after i.v. administration. This means that unrecovered carboplatin (66%) was completely absorbed from the peritoneal cavity. It may be expected from this bioavailability that the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of i.p.-administered carboplatin with a 4-h dwell is around 1.5 times higher than that after i.v. administration. Overall pharmacokinetic parameters of carboplatin and platinum in plasma were comparable after i.p. and i.v. administration.