Intravesical administration of misonidazole in bladder carcinoma

Using 11C labelled material, the diffusion of the hypoxic cell sensitizer misonidazole was tested in 19 patients with carcinoma of the bladder following its intravesical administration. Increasing concentration gradients were tested. Evidence was provided that a 20 ml solution containing 200 mmol/l of misonidazole is followed by high concentrations of the drug in the superficial as well as in deep parts of the tumour. The corresponding serum concentration was extremely low. It was concluded that this route of administration provides high local concentrations of the drug that may result in a significant therapeutic enhancement if utilized as an adjuvant to external irradiation.