Serum and intraperitoneal pharmacokinetics of cisplatin within intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy: influence of protein binding

A Clinical Pharmacological Perspective on Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Peritoneal metastases (PM), frequently observed in malignancies such as ovarian, colorectal, pancreatic, and gastric cancers, present a significant therapeutic challenge due to poor prognosis and limited effectiveness to systemic chemotherapy. The peritoneal-plasma barrier reduces effective drug transfer from plasma to the peritoneal cavity, reducing cytotoxic effects on PM. Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy offers a locoregional approach, enabling high local drug concentrations that can enhance therapeutic efficacy while limiting systemic toxicity. The three major methods for IP administration-hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC), and catheter-based IP (CBIP) chemotherapy-each provide unique pharmacokinetic (PK) advantages for PM treatment. This review provides a comprehensive update on the pharmacological rationale of IP chemotherapy, focusing on drug characteristics that support extended IP retention and effective tumor targeting. The effects of administration variables are discussed, highlighting their role in optimizing IP drug exposure. Additionally, recent PK data on commonly used drugs in IP therapy, including platinum-based agents, taxanes, and novel nanoparticle formulations, will be evaluated. While PK rationale supports the administration of IP chemotherapy, further efficacy results from ongoing clinical trials are still awaited. Innovations in nanoparticle-based formulations and controlled-release systems offer substantial potential for improving both drug retention and targeted delivery, enhancing treatment precision and minimizing systemic toxicity. Continued exploration in these areas, along with optimization of IP administration protocols, is vital for advancing patient outcomes, refining therapeutic strategies, and maximizing the benefits of IP chemotherapy in clinical practice.

The 2022 PSOGI International Consensus on HIPEC Regimens for Peritoneal Malignancies: HIPEC Technologies

This manuscript reports the results of an international consensus on technologies of hyperthermic intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) performed with the following goals: To provide recommendations for the technological parameters to perform HIPEC. To identify the role of heat and its application forms in treating peritoneal metastases. To provide recommendations regarding the correct dosimetry of intraperitoneal chemotherapy drugs and their carrier solutions. To identify for each intraperitoneal chemotherapy regimen the best dosimetry and fractionation. To identify areas of future research pertaining to HIPEC technology and regimens. This consensus was performed by the Delphi technique and comprised two rounds of voting. In total, 96 of 102 eligible panelists replied to both Delphi rounds (94.1%) with a consensus of 39/51 questions on HIPEC technical aspects. Among the recommendations that met with the strongest consensus were those concerning the dose of HIPEC drug established in mg/m2, a target temperature of at least 42°C, and the use of at least three temperature probes to pursue hyperthermia. Ninety minutes as the ideal HIPEC duration seemed to make consensus. These results should be considered when designing new clinical trials in patients with peritoneal surface malignancies.

Extensive Peritonectomy is an Independent Risk Factor for Cisplatin HIPEC-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Background

Cisplatin (CDDP)-containing hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is frequently applied in selected patients with peritoneal malignancies derived from ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, and primary peritoneal mesothelioma. HIPEC with CDDP increases perioperative morbidity, in particular by inducing acute kidney injury (AKI). Factors contributing to occurrence of AKI after intraperitoneal perfusion with CDDP have not been sufficiently evaluated.

Patients and Methods

Data from 63 patients treated with a CDDP-containing HIPEC regimen were retrospectively analyzed concerning demographics, underlying disease, surgery, and HIPEC details to evaluate risk factors of AKI. A preclinical rat perfusion model was applied to assess the influence of temperature, concentration, perfusate volume, perfusion flow rate, and extent of peritonectomy on drug absorption upon intraperitoneal CDDP perfusion.

Results

AKI occurred in 66.1% of patients undergoing CDDP-containing HIPEC, with total intraoperative fluid influx being a negative and the extent of parietal peritonectomy being a positive independent predictor of postoperative AKI. In a preclinical model, bilateral anterior parietal peritonectomy significantly increased systemic CDDP absorption by 1.6 to 2-fold. CDDP plasma levels in animals were significantly higher after both perfusion with increased CDDP perfusate concentrations and bilateral anterior parietal peritonectomy.

Conclusion

CDDP-containing HIPEC is associated with relevant morbidity owing to its systemic toxicity. Extent of parietal peritonectomy is an independent predictor of AKI. CDDP dose reduction should be considered in case of extensive parietal peritonectomy. Cytostatic drug concentrations in HIPEC perfusate should be paid more attention to than total dose per body surface area. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm the presented preclinical findings.

Subtotal Pleurectomy with Intrathoracic Chemo Hyperthermia (HITHOC) for IVa Thymomas: De Novo Versus Recurrent Pleural Disease

INTRODUCTION

Stage IVa thymoma is a rare disease without a standard of care. Subtotal pleurectomy and HITHOC introduced in highly selected patients may provide interesting oncologic results. The purpose of this study was to distinguish de novo stage IVa tumors (DNT) from distant relapse (DR) with respect to post-operative and long-term outcomes to provide the procedure efficacy.

METHODS

From July 1997-December 2021, 40 patients with IVa pleural involvement were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical procedure was subtotal pleurectomy and HITHOC (cisplatin 50 mg/m2, mitomycin 25 mg/m2, 42 °C, 90 min). The post-operative outcome, disease-free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Mean age was 52 ± 12 years. B2 and B3 thymomas were preponderant (27; 67.5%). The median number of pleural nodes were nine (4-81) vs. five (1-36); p = 0.004 * in DNT and DR, respectively. Hospital mortality rate was 2.5%. There were four specific HITHOC complications (10%). DFI were 49 and 85 months (p = 0.02 *), OS were 94 and 118 months (NS), in DNT and DR, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Subtotal pleurectomy with HITHOC in IVa offers satisfying results in highly selected patients, for both DNT and DR. Due to the disease rarity, multicentric studies are needed to define HITHOC as a standard of care.

Cytoreductive Surgery and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Advanced Serous Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A 14-Year French Retrospective Single-Center Study of 124 Patients

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecological cancer. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy appears to increase survival, and normothermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) could improve overall survival (OS). Furthermore, intraperitoneal epinephrine could decrease the toxicity of chemotherapy by decreasing the systemic absorption of chemotherapy. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of CRS and IPC with intraperitoneal epinephrine, as first-line therapy, on the survival of patients with serous epithelial OC (EOC) with peritoneal metastases.

METHODS

A prospective monocentric database was retrospectively searched for all patients with advanced serous EOC treated by interval or consolidative CRS plus IPC with intraperitoneal epinephrine after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. OS and disease-free survival (DFS), postoperative complications, and prognostic factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

From January 2003 to December 2017, 124 patients with serous EOC were treated with interval (n = 58) or consolidative (n = 66) complete CRS plus IPC with intraperitoneal epinephrine. The median follow-up was 77.8 months, the median OS was 60.8 months, and the median DFS was 21.2 months. In our multivariate analysis, a higher Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) and positive lymph node status resulted in worse OS, while higher World Health Organization score, higher PCI score, and positive lymph node status were risk factors for worse DFS. Grade 3 or higher surgical morbidity occurred in 27.42% of cases; only 3.2% had grade 3 renal toxicity and mortality was 0.8%.

CONCLUSION

CRS and IPC with intraperitoneal epinephrine in stage III EOC offer good OS and DFS with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates.

Pharmacokinetics of cisplatin during open and minimally-invasive secondary cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC in women with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: a prospective study

Objective

Evidences from animal models seem to suggest that minimally invasive surgery may enhance cisplatin diffusion when the drug is administered in the context of post-operative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The present study evaluates the cisplatin pharmacokinetic profile in a prospective series of women with platinum sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer treated with open secondary cytoreductive surgery (O-SCS) or minimally-invasive secondary cytoreductive surgery (MI-SCS).

Methods

Cisplatin levels were assessed at 0, 20, 40, 60, and 120 minutes in: 1) blood samples, 2) peritoneal perfusate, and 3) peritoneal biopsies at the end of HIPEC. Median C_max has been used to identify women with high and low drug levels. Progression-free survival (PFS) was calculated as the time elapsed between SCS+HIPEC and secondary recurrence or last follow-up visit.

Results

Nine (45.0%) women received MI-SCS, and 11 (55.0%) O-SCS. At 60 minutes, median cisplatin C_max in peritoneal tissue was higher in patients treated with MI-SCS compared to O-SCS (C_max=8.262 µg/mL vs. C_max=4.057 µg/mL). Furthermore, median cisplatin plasma C_max was higher in patients treated with MI-SCS compared to O-SCS (C_max=0.511 vs. C_max=0.254 µg/mL; p-value=0.012) at 120 minutes. With a median follow-up time of 24 months, women with higher cisplatin peritoneal C_max showed a longer PFS compared to women with low cisplatin peritoneal levels (2-years PFS=70% vs. 35%; p-value=0.054).

Conclusions

We demonstrate for the first time that minimally invasive route enhances cisplatin peritoneal tissue uptake during HIPEC, further evaluations are needed to confirm the correlation between peritoneal cisplatin levels after HIPEC and survival.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01539785

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with oxaliplatin for peritoneal carcinomatosis: a clinical pharmacological perspective on a surgical procedure

Cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has become the standard of care in the treatment of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin. The use of oxaliplatin for HIPEC has gained popularity. Although the HIPEC procedure is adopted throughout the world, major differences exist between treatment protocols regarding the carrier solution, perfusate volume, use of an open or closed technique, duration of the perfusion and application of additional flushing. These differences can influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oxaliplatin and might thereby have an impact on the efficacy and/or safety of the treatment. Clinicians should be aware of the clinical importance of oxaliplatin pharmacology when performing HIPEC surgery. This review adds new insights into the complex field of the pharmacology of HIPEC and highlights an important worldwide problem: the lack of standardization of the HIPEC procedure.

Regulatable Transgene Expression for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a debilitating complication associated with drug treatment of cancer for which there are no effective strategies of prevention or treatment. In this study, we examined the effect of intermittent expression of neurotophin-3 (NT-3) or interleukin-10 (IL-10) from replication-defective herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based regulatable vectors delivered by subcutaneous inoculation to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) on the development of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. We constructed two different tetracycline (tet)-on-based regulatable HSV vectors, one expressing NT-3 and the other expressing IL-10, in which the transactivator expression in the tet-on system was under the control of HSV latency-associated promoter 2 (LAP-2), and expression of the transgene was controlled by doxycycline (DOX). We examined the therapeutic effect of intermittent expression of the transgene in animals with paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy modeled by intraperitoneal injection of paclitaxel (16 mg/kg) once a week for 5 weeks. Intermittent expression of either NT-3 or IL-10 3 days before and 1 day after paclitaxel administration protected animals against paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy over the course of 5 weeks. These results suggest the potential of regulatable vectors for prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Selection of chemotherapy for hyperthermic intraperitoneal use in gastric cancer

PURPOSE

Several studies have shown the potential benefit of cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in gastric cancer patients. At present the most effective chemotherapeutic regime in HIPEC for gastric cancer is unknown. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of chemotherapeutic agents used for HIPEC in gastric cancer.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database to identify studies on chemotherapy used for HIPEC in gastric cancer patients.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The chemotherapeutic regime of choice in HIPEC for gastric cancer has yet to be determined. The wide variety in studies and study parameters, such as chemotherapeutic agents, dosage, patient characteristics, temperature of perfusate, duration of perfusion, carrier solutions, intraperitoneal pressure and open or closed perfusion techniques, warrant more experimental and clinical studies to determine the optimal treatment schedule. A combination of drugs probably results in a more effective treatment.

Pharmacokinetics of concomitant cisplatin and paclitaxel administered by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy to patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from epithelial ovarian cancer

Background:

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is advised as a treatment option for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This study was designed to define the pharmacokinetics of cisplatin (CDDP) and paclitaxel (PTX) administered together during HIPEC.

Methods:

Thirteen women with EOC underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC, with CDDP and PTX. Blood, peritoneal perfusate and tissue samples were harvested to determine drug exposure by high-performance liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization imaging mass spectrometry (IMS).

Results:

The mean maximum concentrations of CDDP and PTX in perfusate were, respectively, 24.8±10.4 μg ml⁻¹ and 69.8±14.3 μg ml⁻¹; in plasma were 1.87±0.4 μg ml⁻¹ and 0.055±0.009 μg ml⁻¹. The mean concentrations of CDDP and PTX in peritoneum at the end of HIPEC were 23.3±8.0 μg g⁻¹ and 30.1±18.3 μg⁻¹g⁻¹, respectively. The penetration of PTX into the peritoneal wall, determined by IMS, was about 0.5 mm. Grade 3–4 surgical complications were recorded in four patients, five patients presented grade 3 and two patients presented grade 4 hematological complications.

Conclusions:

HIPEC with CDDP and PTX after CRS is feasible with acceptable morbidity and has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile: high drug concentrations are achieved in peritoneal tissue with low systemic exposure. Larger studies are needed to demonstrate its efficacy in patients with microscopic postsurgical residual tumours in the peritoneal cavity.

Population pharmacokinetics of peritoneal, plasma ultrafiltrated and protein-bound oxaliplatin concentrations in patients with disseminated peritoneal cancer after intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion of oxaliplatin following cytoreductive surgery: correlation between oxaliplatin exposure and thrombocytopenia

PURPOSE

First, to evaluate the peritoneal (IP), plasma ultrafiltrated (UF) and protein-bound (B) pharmacokinetics (PK) of oxaliplatin after intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion (HIPEC) following cytoreductive surgery. Second, to evaluate the relationship between oxaliplatin exposure and observed toxicity.

METHODS

IP, UF, and B concentrations from 75 patients treated by 30-min oxaliplatin-based HIPEC procedures were analysed according to a pharmacokinetic modelling approach using NONMEM. Oxaliplatin was administered in a 5 % dextrose solution (2 L/m(2)) at 360 (n = 58) or 460 mg/m(2) (n = 17). The most frequently observed toxicities were related to the peritoneal, systemic exposures and to the parameters corresponding to the oxaliplatin absorption from peritoneal cavity into plasma.

RESULTS

IP (n = 536), UF (n = 669) and B (n = 661) concentrations were simultaneously described according to a five-compartment PK model with irreversible nonlinear binding from UF to B according to a Michaelis-Menten equation. The mean (±SD) maximum fraction of dose absorbed and elimination half-life from the peritoneum was 53.7 % (±8.5) and 0.49 h (±0.1), respectively. The mean (±SD) ratio AUC(IP)/AUC(UF) was 5.3 (±2) confirming the pharmacokinetic advantage of the procedure. Haemoperitoneum (22.7 %), neuropathy (18.7 %), grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (13.3 %) were the most frequently reported toxicities. AUC(UF) accounts for approximately 12 % of the variation in the maximum percentage of platelet decrease (r = 0.35, p = 0.002). Thrombocytopenia was correlated with higher AUCUF, partly dependent on the extent and rate of oxaliplatin absorption.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a common dose administered, variability in peritoneal and systemic oxaliplatin exposures are observed, leading to differences in haematological toxicity between patients.

HIPEC ROC I: a phase I study of cisplatin administered as hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemoperfusion followed by postoperative intravenous platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer

This phase I study tested the safety, feasibility, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cisplatin administered as hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery followed by postoperative platinum-based intravenous chemotherapy. Twelve patients with operable, recurrent platinum-sensitive EOC (recurrence ≥6 months after first-line therapy) were included according to the classical 3+3 dose-escalation design at three dose levels-60, 80 and 100 mg/m(2). After surgical cytoreduction, a single dose of cisplatin was administered via HIPEC for 90 min at 41-43°C. Postoperatively, all patients were treated with standard intravenous platinum-based combination chemotherapy. One of six patients experienced a dose-limiting toxicity (grade 3 renal toxicity) at a dose of 100 mg/m(2). The remaining five patients treated with 100 mg/m(2) tolerated their treatment well. The recommended phase II dose was established at 100 mg/m(2). The mean peritoneal-to-plasma AUC ratio was 19·5 at the highest dose level. Cisplatin-induced DNA adducts were confirmed in tumor samples. Common postoperative grade 1-3 toxicities included fatigue, postoperative pain, nausea, and surgical site infection. The ability to administer standard intravenous platinum-based chemotherapy after HIPEC was uncompromised. Cisplatin administered as HIPEC at a dose of 100 mg/m(2) has an acceptable safety profile in selected patients undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery for platinum-sensitive recurrent EOC. Favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of HIPEC with cisplatin were confirmed at all dose levels, especially at 100 mg/m(2). The results are encouraging to determine the efficacy of HIPEC as a complementary treatment in patients with EOC.

Duration of cisplatin excretion in breast milk

Cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapy agent, is commonly used in treating cancers that may affect women of childbearing age, including cervical cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and pediatric tumors in adolescents. The authors found that platinum was undetectable in breast milk at 66 hours and beyond following a 70-mg dose of intravenous cisplatin. Relative infant dose of platinum was calculated to be between 0.29% and 0.40% of the maternal dose corrected for body weight. This case demonstrates minimal exposure to platinum via breast milk, following a single 70-mg intravenous dose of cisplatin.

Amelioration of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in peroxiredoxin I-deficient mice

PURPOSE

Cisplatin is one of the most potent chemotherapeutic agents used to treat cancer. However, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, which is partly caused by oxidative damage, is a serious problem. We previously showed that murine embryonic fibroblasts deficient in Peroxiredoxin I (Prx I), a major Nrf2-linked anti-oxidant enzyme, are susceptible to cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. In the present study, we examined the role of Prx I against cisplatin-induced renal injury in vivo using Prx I-null mice.

METHODS

Prx I-null mice and wild-type (WT) mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin, and tissues were removed and evaluated histopathologically. In addition, gene and protein expression of efflux transporters was analyzed.

RESULTS

In contrast to an in vitro cell study, Prx I-null mice exhibited less cisplatin-induced renal damage than WT mice in histological and blood biochemical analyses. Moreover, Prx I-null mice showed a higher clearance rate of cisplatin than WT mice following intraperitoneal cisplatin injection. Consistent with these results, Prx I-null mice exhibited higher expression of renal efflux transporters Mrp2 and Mrp4 compared with WT mice under both basal and the cisplatin-induced conditions. We suggest the enhanced transcriptional activity of c-Myc in Prx I-null mice may partly contribute the enhanced expression of renal efflux transporters.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the enhanced clearance rate of cisplatin significantly attenuates nephrotoxicity in Prx I-null mice.

Effects of loading procedures of magnetic nanoparticles on the structure and physicochemical properties of cisplatin magnetic liposomes

The effects of different loading procedures of magnetic nanoparticles (MNs) on the structure and physicochemical properties of cisplatin magnetic liposomes were investigated by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. 1, 2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-Phosphocholine based cisplatin magnetic liposomes were prepared using two different procedures. In procedure I, MNs were combined with phospholipids during film formation; MNs were embedded in a phospholipid bilayer. In procedure II, MNs were mixed with drugs during hydration and MNs were contained in an interior aqueous compartment. The encapsulation efficiency of cisplain and the content of MN in procedure I liposomes were 33.5% ± 3.3% and 2.34 ± 0.09 mg mL(-1), respectively. It indicated that the deliberate MN loading into the liposome structure was not only successful using procedure I, but also superior over procedure II both in cisplatin encapsulation efficiency and MN content, which can promote the magnetic targeting effect of magnetic liposomes during delivering cisplatin.

Intraperitoneal clearance as a potential biomarker of cisplatin after intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy: a population pharmacokinetic study

Background:

Intraperitoneal (IP) perioperative chemotherapy with cisplatin is an interesting option in ovarian cancer treatment. A combination of cisplatin with IP epinephrine (already shown to improve IP and decrease systemic platinum (Pt) exposure) was evaluated using a population pharmacokinetic analysis.

Methods:

Data from 55 patients treated with cisplatin-based IP perioperative chemotherapy with (n=26) or without (n=29) epinephrine were analysed using NONMEM.

Results:

Epinephrine halves clearance between peritoneum and serum (IPCL) and increases the Pt central volume of distribution, IP exposure and penetration in tissue. IPCL has a better predictive value than any other parameter with respect to renal toxicity.

Conclusion:

This confirms that IPCL could be useful in assessing renal toxicity. As IPCL is also linked to tissue penetration and IP exposure, it may be proposed as biomarker. In addition to a Bayesian estimation, we propose a single-sample calculation-way to assess it. Prospective studies are needed to validate IPCL as a biomarker in this context.

Protective effect of intra-peritoneal epinephrine on postoperative renal function after cisplatin-based intra-peritoneal intra-operative chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES

Intra-operative cisplatin-based intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (IPC) may alter renal function in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to describe postoperative alteration of renal function after cisplatin-based IPC and to identify risk factors for moderate to severe acute renal failure.

STUDY DESIGN

This prospective observational study was carried out on 77 consecutive patients who underwent cisplatin-based IPC procedures, with (n=23) or without (n=54) intra-peritoneal epinephrine, for advanced ovarian cancer. Postoperative renal function was assessed using serial serum creatinine measurements and was based on serum creatinine changes from pre-operative values, according to the risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) classification. Patients were divided into two groups according to postoperative renal function: patients with renal injury or failure (IF group) or patients with no renal alteration or renal risk (NR group). Clinical variables were compared between the IF and NR groups using univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Postoperative acute change in renal function was observed in 34 (44.2%) patients (unimodal distribution), among whom 23 patients (29.8%) constituted the IF group. In univariate analysis, the absence of epinephrine in the IPC bath, a higher duration of severe hypotension, a lower postoperative blood protein level, and a lower volume of intra-operative diuresis were significantly associated with the occurrence of renal injury or failure. In multivariate analysis, the absence of epinephrine was the only factor associated with the occurrence of moderate to severe acute renal failure (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]=4.49 [1.36-14.80]).

CONCLUSIONS

Transient acute renal dysfunction after cisplatin-based IPC associated with cytoreductive surgery is frequent and intra-peritoneal epinephrine plays a protective role.

Intraoperative chemotherapy with cisplatin and epinephrine after cytoreductive surgery in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer: a phase I study

BACKGROUND

Intraperitoneal (i.p.) epinephrine was shown to increase the accumulation of i.p. cisplatin in tumours, and thus its antitumour effect in a model of peritoneal carcinomatosis in rats.

METHODS

To determine the tolerance to i.p. epinephrine with cisplatin, 18 patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma were intraoperatively treated in this phase 1 study. After maximal cytoreductive surgery, the peritoneal cavity was filled twice for 1 h with 30 mg/l of cisplatin and increasing concentrations of epinephrine (0, 1, 2, 3 mg/l) in 3 l of saline solution at 37 degrees C.

RESULTS

No deaths occurred. Three patients were treated at each of the 0, 1 and 2 mg/l epinephrine levels without adverse events. Two of the three patients who received 3 mg/l epinephrine experienced cardiac intolerance. Six additional patients received 2 mg/l of epinephrine without toxicity. A relationship between the serum concentration of epinephrine and occurrence of cardiac toxicity was established. A 60% decrease in serum area under the curve of platinum was calculated in patients receiving i.p. epinephrine compared with i.p. cisplatin alone. Renal toxicity from cisplatin was not increased by epinephrine. No haematological or neurological toxicity was recorded. The other grade 3-4 adverse events [thromboembolism (5), peritonitis (1), abdominal bleeding (1), bowel fistula (1)] occurred as often as usually reported for this heavy surgical procedure.

CONCLUSION

The combination of i.p. epinephrine with cisplatin as intraoperative chemotherapy after optimal cytoreductive surgery is feasible. The recommended concentration for further studies is 2 mg/l for i.p. epinephrine.

Intra-operative intra-peritoneal chemotherapy with cisplatin in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of ovarian cancer

Background

Intra-peritoneal (i.p.) chemotherapy is an encouraging treatment option for ovarian cancer with peritoneum involvement in addition with intravenous (i.v.) chemotherapy. Intra-operative i.p. chemotherapy is an interesting method of administration by enhancing the diffusion of chemotherapy. This study had assessed the feasibility of intra-operative i.p. chemotherapy in patients with peritoneal carcinoma of ovarian cancer.

Methods

From January 2003 to February 2006, 47 patients with stage III ovarian cancer were treated with standard paclitaxel carboplatin intravenous chemotherapy and debulking surgery with intra-operative i.p. chemotherapy. After optimal cytoreductive surgery, defined by no unresectable residual disease > 1 cm, i.p. chemotherapy was performed during surgery. The peritoneal cavity was filled by 3 litres of isotonic saline pre-heated at 37 degrees and 90 mg of cisplatin. The sequence was repeated twice during 2 hours based on previous published studies which optimized the cisplatin dosage and exposure duration. Optimal diffusion was obtained by stirring by hands during the 2 hours.

Results

Median age was 59.6 years. No severe haematological or non-haematological toxicity induced by intra operative i.p. chemotherapy was reported. No patient died due to the complications of surgery or the i.p. chemotherapy. No neurotoxicity occurred, and one patients had renal impairment.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the feasibility of intra-operative i.p. chemotherapy with cisplatin after optimal resection of peritoneal tumor nodules. Further randomized trials are planned to investigate the clinical benefit of this therapeutic modality.

The application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in clinical pharmacological oncology research

Metal-based anticancer agents are frequently used in the treatment of a wide variety of cancer types. The monitoring of these anticancer agents in biological samples is important to understand their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and metabolism. In addition, determination of metals originating from anticancer agents is relevant to assess occupational exposure of health care personnel working with these drugs. The high sensitivity of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has resulted in an increased popularity of this technique for the analysis of metal-based anticancer drugs. In addition to the quantitative analysis of the metal of interest in a sample, ICP-MS can be used as an ultrasensitive metal selective detector in combination with speciation techniques such as liquid chromatography. In the current review we provide a systematic survey of publications describing the analysis of platinum- and ruthenium-containing anticancer agents using ICP-MS, focused on the determination of total metal concentrations and on the speciation of metal compounds in biological fluids, DNA- and protein-adducts, and environmental samples. We conclude that ICP-MS is a powerful tool for the quantitative analysis of metal-based anticancer agents from multiple sample sources.

Improvement in intraperitoneal intraoperative cisplatin exposure based on pharmacokinetic analysis in patients with ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related death in Western countries. The present treatment standards for ovarian cancer are based on the association of debulking surgery with platinum-based chemotherapy. Another strategy that could be further investigated is intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IP). We previously described that the 2-h administration of intraoperative IP cisplatin did not reach satisfactory concentrations. In the present study, we present the results of a pharmacokinetic analysis performed after two consecutive 1-h IP 30 mg/l cisplatin administrations. Twenty-seven patients with advanced epithelial cancer classified FIGO stage IIIC were included in the study. Blood and IP samples were taken over a 24-h period, during and after IP treatment. Both total and ultrafiltered (Uf) platinum (Pt) concentration levels were analyzed. Biological and clinical toxicities were also recorded. With this strategy, IP Pt concentrations stayed above the target concentration (10 mg/l) for a satisfactory length of time. The serum Pt concentrations were higher than those observed with the "one-bath" protocol and they induced the occurrence of recoverable renal toxicities (3 grade 1, 7 grade 2 and 4 grade 3). The best predictive parameter for renal failure was the total Pt 24-h Area Under the Curve (AUC) with a threshold value of 25 mg h/l RR = 0.31 (95% CI 0.13 - 0.49, P < 0.01). Administration of an increased amount of cisplatin is feasible and a satisfactory level of IP Pt concentrations is obtained. However, this improvement is associated with an increase in serum Pt levels and resulting renal toxicities. An attractive solution would be to decrease Pt transfer from peritoneum to bloodstream. A phase 1 study using intraoperative IP epinephrine in order to decrease this transfer is presently being carried out.

Agents ameliorating or augmenting the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin and other platinum compounds: a review of some recent research

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)) is an effective agent against various solid tumours. Despite its effectiveness, the dose of cisplatin that can be administered is limited by its nephrotoxicity. Hundreds of platinum compounds (e.g. carboplatin, oxaliplatin, nedaplatin and the liposomal form lipoplatin) have been tested over the last two decades in order to improve the effectiveness and to lessen the toxicity of cisplatin. Several agents have been tested to see whether they could ameliorate or augment the nephrotoxicity of platinum drugs. This review summarizes these studies and the possible mechanisms of actions of these agents. The agents that have been shown to ameliorate experimental cisplatin nephrotoxicity include antioxidants (e.g. melatonin, vitamin E, selenium, and many others), modulators of nitric oxide (e.g. zinc histidine complex), agents interfering with metabolic pathways of cisplatin (e.g. procaine HCL), diuretics (e.g. furosemide and mannitol), and cytoprotective and antiapoptotic agents (e.g. amifostine and erythropoietin). Only few of these agents have been tested in humans. Those agents that have been shown to augment cisplatin nephrotoxicity include nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, spironolactone, gemcitabine and others. Combining these agents with cisplatin should be avoided.