Tumor blood flow and O2 availability during hemodilution.

Experiments were performed to study the influence of localized and systemic hemodilution on tumor blood flow and on O2 availability in the tumor tissue. The results obtained clearly show that both localized and systemic hemodilution can distinctly improve nutritive blood flow through solid tumors. This can be utilized to enhance pharmacokinetics of antitumor drugs. Due to the improved metabolic status, the pharmacodynamics of some antitumor drugs should also be enhanced. To achieve a maximum improvement of the oxygen supply to the tumor, hematocrit values should not be decreased below 0.20 in localized hemodilution, and 0.30 in systemic hemodilution.