Platinum tissue concentrations following intra-arterial and intravenous cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II in New Zealand white rabbits.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy is supported by the rationale that regional infusion more than systemic administration can produce higher regional concentrations of cytotoxic drugs, thereby enhancing tumor kill. The hypothesis that intra-arterial infusion of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (DDP) enhances regional drug concentrations in tissue has not been studied. Therefore, 30 New Zealand white rabbits were treated with DDP. Fifteen animals were given DDP intravenously, and the other 15 received DDP by intra-arterial infusion into the terminal aorta. Necropsy was performed at 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours after infusion. Samples of tissue were analyzed for platinum content by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Uterine and ovarian platinum content was significantly greater after intra-arterial infusion than after intravenous infusion (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.01, respectively). This substantiates the rationale that regional arterial infusion of DDP can achieve higher tissue platinum levels than the intravenous route, at least, in this animal model.