Continuous intravenous infusion of vinca alkaloid using a subcutaneously implanted pump in a canine model

A major drawback of infusions of the vinca alkaloids is the lengthy period of hospitalization which is often required for this novel technique of cancer therapy. A potentially useful system to deliver outpatient therapy has been investigated in a preclinical study. A self-contained infusion pump powered by a self-charging fluorocarbon system has been implanted SC in three dogs. The performance of two pumps which had been factory-calibrated to deliver 2.5 and 4.5 ml/day, respectively, was evaluated during 22 infusions of the vinca alkaloids (vincristine, 7; vinblastine, 7; and vindesine, 8). Infusions were given over a 5- to 7-day period and were repeated at 3-week intervals. No malfunctioning of the pumps occurred in over 500 cumulative days of use. The flow rates of the pumps were quite stable except in one animal whose increased flow rate was probably a consequence of fever due to self-induced inflammation about the pump pocket. No local or distant tissue reactions to the pump were observed. Decomposition of vincristine and vinblastine in the infusate at the end of 5- or 7-day infusions was minimal as determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The amount of decomposition of vindesine in the infusate was variable. Steady-state concentrations of vincristine during infusion were always greater than 10(-9) M, and were similar to those previously determined in our clinical infusion trials using a dosage of 0.5 mg/m2/day. Clinical evaluation of this system for prolonged infusions of vincristine and other vinca alkaloids appears to be warranted.