[Measuring cis-dichlorodiamino platinum(II) concentrations in human blood and mouth mucosa]

Using the method of atomic absorption spectroscopy, platinum (DDP) concentrations were determined in tissue samples and plasma from 10 patients who suffered from a squamous cell carcinoma and were receiving cis-platinum. The drug was administered by a rapid infusion (60 mg/m2). Tissue samples and plasma were collected 5 h after infusion. Platinum concentrations found in squamous cells of the oral cavity varied from 3 to 20 micrograms/g with a median concentration of 7.5 micrograms/g. The corresponding plasma concentrations were 1.5-2.5 micrograms/ml. The data suggest that within 5 h after infusion an enrichment of cis-platinum takes place in human tissue.