Kinetic uptake of etanidazole in lung carcinoma and normal tissue in vivo.

Thirty-four patients affected by primary pulmonary carcinoma or in a state of recurrence after surgery were analyzed and 2g/m2 of etanidazole was administered intravenously. After 30 min (group A), 60 min (group B), and 120 min (group C), both the bronchus affected by the carcinoma and the contralateral bronchus were biopsied. Of the 34 patients, 24 had histologically proven carcinoma and were enrolled in the study. Etanidazole determination was carried out with a polarographic method both in plasma and tissue. The results obtained indicate that the most favorable concentration of etanidazole in the tissue is at 30 min after administration and at this point is most beneficial when associated with radiotherapy. The tumor/plasma ratio of etanidazole examined in three phases is relatively higher than that noted with HPLC; however, it is compatible with the methodology used and previous studies carried out on other tumors.