Regional arterial infusion of an anticancer drug combined with direct hemoperfusion

The capacity of activated charcoal to adsorb anticancer drugs, Mitomycin C, Adriamycin and Bleomycin was examined in vitro in a closed circuit through a perfuser containing uncoated activated charcoal. Samples were obtained from the inlet and outlet of the perfuser every 30 min. As in vivo experiments, regional arterial infusion of anticancer drugs combined with direct hemoperfusion was performed on dogs. In 20 male mongrel dogs a polyethylene catheter was indwelt in the internal iliac artery and anticancer drugs were infused through the catheter for 1 hr. By using the femoral vessels for the blood access, direct hemoperfusion was performed for 3 hr. The adsorptive capacity of activated charcoal was high in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. These results indicate that regional arterial infusion of anticancer drugs combined with direct hemoperfusion would be useful for preventing their toxicity.