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 HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jones, R. B. Articles by DeVita, V. T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Jones, R. B. Articles by DeVita, V. T.

High-Volume Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy with Methotrexate in Patients with Cancer

Clinical Pharmacology, Medicine, and Surgery Branches and Office of the Director, Division of Cancer Treatment, National Cancer Institute, and Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation Branch, Division of Research Services, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20205

The use of high-volume i.p. chemotherapy with methotrexate (7.5 to 50 µM methotrexate administered via peritoneal dialysis technique) was studied in four patients with ovarian cancer and one patient with malignant melanoma. All had tumor localized to the peritoneal cavity or liver. Methotrexate concentration in the peritoneum could be maintained 18- to 36-fold higher than corresponding plasma concentrations using this method, plasma levels remaining in the range of 0.2 to 3 µM. While local toxicity was generally limited and manageable, mild aseptic peritoneal irritation was commonly seen, and one episode of bacterial peritonitis did occur. Because of the concentration difference between peritoneum and the systemic circulation, systemic toxicity was moderate with only six of 29 treatment cycles resulting in myelosuppression. No definite therapeutic benefit was seen, but the tumors of four of five patients had demonstrated resistance to a methotrexate-containing chemotherapeutic regimen prior to this study. Further investigation of this novel treatment modality is warranted.

In addition, this study provides the first measurement of peritoneal methotrexate clearance and the ratio of peritoneal to total body clearance.

¹ To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at National Cancer Institute, NIH, Building 10, Room 6N104, Bethesda, Md. 20205.

Received 6/ 9/80. Accepted 10/ 8/80.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. Regelson Review: Advances in Intraperitoneal (Intracavitary) Administration of Synthetic Polymers for Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers, January 1, 1986; 1(1): 84 - 107. [Abstract] [PDF]