Lack of effect of cisplatin on i. v. L-PAM plasma pharmacokinetics in ovarian cancer patients

Summary Melphalan (L-PAM) pharmacokinetics were investigated in nine ovarian cancer patients before and after cisplatin (DDP) treatment. When L-PAM was given 24 h before DDP, the elimination half-life (t_1/2), plasma clearance (Clp), and volume of distribution (Vd) of L-PAM were, respectively: 46.4±6.7 min, 20.5±3.7 l/m², and 306.8±34.4 ml/min per square meter. When L-PAM was inoculated 24 h after DDP, t_1/2, Clp, and Vd were 47.5±6.3 min, 20.4±2.8 l/m², and 322.0±54.1 ml/min per square meter. Thus, DDP pretreatment does not significantly affect L-PAM pharmacokinetics. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation between the L-PAM elimination rate constant () and renal function assessed by creatinine clearance. One patient who received this sequence of treatment for six courses showed a threefold decrease of L-PAM clp after the last treatment. The reported high myelotoxicity of the combination of DDP and L-PAM when DDP was given 24 h before L-PAM cannot be attributed to DDP-induced changes in L-PAM kinetics but might to some extent be related to a loss of renal function consequent to many courses of treatment.This work was supported by a Grant from the Swiss League against Cancer