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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 7, 2006; 12(9): 1412-1415
Published online Mar 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i9.1412
Pharmacokinetic study of paclitaxel in malignant ascites from advanced gastric cancer patients
Michiya Kobayashi, Junichi Sakamoto, Tsutomu Namikawa, Ken Okamoto, Takehiro Okabayashi, Kengo Ichikawa, Keijiro Araki
Michiya Kobayashi, Tsutomu Namikawa, Ken Okamoto, Takehiro Okabayashi, Kengo Ichikawa, Keijiro Araki, Department of Tumor Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku 783-8505, Japan
Junichi Sakamoto, Department of Epidemiological & Clinical Research Information Management, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Yoshida Hon-machi, Sakyo-ku 606-8317, Japan
Supported by Kobayashi Magobe Memroial Medical Foundation and the Epidemiology and Clinical Research Information Network
Correspondence to: Dr Michiya Kobayashi, Department of Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku 783-8505, Japan. kobayasm@kochi-ms.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-88-8802370 Fax: +81-88-8802371
Received: August 6, 2005
Revised: August 21, 2005
Accepted: October 10, 2005
Published online: March 7, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To examine the paclitaxel concentrations in plasma and ascites after its intravenous administration in patients with ascites due to peritonitis carcinomatosa resulting from advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS: Two patients with ascites due to peritonitis carcinomatosa resulting from gastric cancer were included in this study. The paclitaxel concentrations in plasma and ascites were investigated for 72 h in case 1 and 168 h in case 2 after intravenous administration.

RESULTS: The paclitaxel concentration in plasma peaked immediately after administration, followed by rapid decrease below the threshold value of 0.1 μmol (85 ng/mL) within 24 h. In contrast, the paclitaxel concentration in ascites increased gradually for 24 h after administration to a level consistent with the level found in plasma. After 24 h the level of paclitaxel in ascites and plasma became similar, with the optimal level being maintained up to 72 h following administration.

CONCLUSION: The concentration of paclitaxel in ascites is maintained within the optimal level for the treatment of cancer cells for up to 72 h after intravenous administration. Paclitaxel is a promising drug for the treatment of malignant ascites of gastric cancer.

Keywords: Paclitaxel; Chemotherapy; Gastric cancer; Peritoneal carcinomatosis; Pharmacokinetic study; Ascites