This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Poplack, D. G. Articles by Ommaya, A. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Poplack, D. G. Articles by Ommaya, A. K.

A Primate Model for Study of Methotrexate Pharmacokinetics in the Central Nervous System

Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20014 [D. G. P., M. K.]; Department of Hematology-Oncology, Children's Orthopedic Hospital, Seattle, Washington [W. A. B., J. A. S.]; and Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, Maryland 20014 [J. H. W., A. K. O.]

A new technique enabling repetitive sampling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in unanesthetized rhesus monkeys was developed to study the pharmacokinetics of methotrexate (MTX) in the CSF. CSF and plasma MTX levels were monitored following intraventricular and intravenous MTX administration. CSF and plasma MTX disappearance curves in the monkey were virtually identical to curves generated in humans, suggesting that the mechanisms of transport between the CSF and plasma compartments are similar in both species. These observations validate this experimental primate model and indicate its potential application to the pharmacological study of CNS chemotherapeutic agents in man.

Received 1/26/77. Accepted 3/31/77.