[Chemical stability of pirarubicin in its use for continuous infusion]

The aim of this study was to examine the chemical stability of pirarubicin in conditions close to ambulatory continuous infusions (infusor). The analyses were performed using an HPLC method in two infusion fluids (G5% and water), in different conditions of conservation (light and obscurity) and at different temperatures (+35 degrees C and +4 degrees C). The results demonstrated that light did not increase the chemical degradation of pirarubicin in doxorubicin which occurred more rapidly in G5% than in water. On the other hand, the temperature was a comparably major influence (> than 80% of deterioration in 7 days). In conclusion, the use of pirarubicin in continuous infusion (5 days infusors) is currently impossible without leading to a fast and important outcome of doxorubicin, which present different therapeutic activity and different toxicity.