Paclitaxel (TAXOL®) concentrations in brain tumor tissue
JJ Heimans, JB Vermorken, JG Wolbers, CM Eeltink… - Annals of oncology, 1994 - Elsevier
JJ Heimans, JB Vermorken, JG Wolbers, CM Eeltink, OWM Meijer, MJB Taphoorn…
Annals of oncology, 1994•ElsevierSummary Background Paclitaxel (Taxol®) is a novel chemotherapeutic agent, active against
a variety of tumors. It is not known whether the drug penetrates brain tumor tissue. Patients
and methods Three patients with a recurrent glioma received paclitaxel (175 mg/m 2) in a 3-
hour iv infusion prior to surgery. Paclitaxel concentrations were measured in the tumor
tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, cyst fluid, plasma and, in one patient, normal brain tissue. Results
Tumor tissue concentrations were in the thera-peutic range in all three patients. Brain tissue …
a variety of tumors. It is not known whether the drug penetrates brain tumor tissue. Patients
and methods Three patients with a recurrent glioma received paclitaxel (175 mg/m 2) in a 3-
hour iv infusion prior to surgery. Paclitaxel concentrations were measured in the tumor
tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, cyst fluid, plasma and, in one patient, normal brain tissue. Results
Tumor tissue concentrations were in the thera-peutic range in all three patients. Brain tissue …
Background
Paclitaxel (Taxol®) is a novel chemotherapeutic agent, active against a variety of tumors. It is not known whether the drug penetrates brain tumor tissue.
Patients and methods
Three patients with a recurrent glioma received paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) in a 3-hour i.v. infusion prior to surgery. Paclitaxel concentrations were measured in the tumor tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, cyst fluid, plasma and, in one patient, normal brain tissue.
Results
Tumor tissue concentrations were in the thera- peutic range in all three patients. Brain tissue concentration, however, was below the detection limit of the trial.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that paclitaxel may have a place in brain tumor therapy. The low concentration in normal brain tissue, as observed in one patient, may suggest, however, that the drug does not cross the intact blood-brain barrier.
Elsevier
