[Pharmacokinetics of ACNU in cerebrospinal fluid]

Various nitrosoureas are widely used effectively for chemotherapy of brain tumors, clinically and experimentally. Fourteen cases of malignant brain tumor received intravenous injection of 100-150 mg/body of ACNU, and the concentration of ACNU in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was measured. The conclusion drawn from this study on penetration of ACNU is summarized as follows: 1. ACNU concentration in CSF and its ratio to that of serum (CSF/serum %) showed the various values of 0-0.076 micrograms/ml (0-63%), 30 min. after administration; 2. Concentration of ACNU in spinal CSF differed from that in ventricular CSF and CSF/serum ratio was 19.9% in spinal CSF and 42% in ventricular CSF, respectively; 3. Statistically no correlation between ACNU CSF/serum ratio and the postoperative time was found. Transition of ACNU into cerebrospinal fluid during radiation therapy was noted with high value of CSF/serum ratio.