[Cerebrospinal fluid distributions of systemically administered fluorinated pyrimidines]

Transfer of systemically administered fluorinated pyrimidines (Tegafur, TAC-278, HCFU and FD-1) to cerebrospinal fluid was studied in 7 patients primary brain tumors. Seven patients had had irradiation and also had V-P shunt operation for hydrocephalus 5-FU concentration in CSF was extremely high in FD-1 and TAC-278 administration, but not in Tegafur and HCFU administration. In addition, Tegafur and HCFU did not reveal any cumulative effects of 5-FU in CSF by continuous prolonged systemic administration. The facts suggest strongly the usefullness of the agents in the treatment of intracranial neoplasms, which have high CSF concentrations. However, intermediate metabolites of 5-FU in CSF are different from those in systemic pathway, and FD-1 and TAC-278 produce CNS toxicities. Therefore, further extensive studies are necessary to utilize these agents for the treatment of intracranial neoplasms.