The intraarterial route of drug delivery in the chemotherapy of malignant brain tumours.

This review is based on literature data and own experiences in 79 patients with malignant brain tumours using intraarterial delivery of cytostatic agents as adjuvant therapy. A survey is given of the pharmacological rationale of this therapeutic approach, of the drugs which have been used and of the related experimental and clinical experiences. Advantages and limitations are discussed and clinical conclusion drawn. Experience so far suggests that in anaplastic astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas intraarterial ACNU might be as effective as intravenous BCNU against the tumours but causes less systemic side-effects.