Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of i.v. and i.p. VM26 chemotherapy in mice bearing Krebs II ascitic tumors.

The pharmacokinetics and the efficacy of VM26 are studied following i.p. or i.v. administration in mice bearing Krebs II ascitic tumors. The i.p. inoculation of 30.10(6) Krebs II cells in Swiss mice leads to the formation of ascites. The effects of VM26 were dependent upon the route of administration. A 2 mg/kg i.p. single dose induces an equivalent per cent increase of median survival time than a 20 mg/kg i.v. single dose. The survival advantage of i.p. VM26 was found to be related to the pharmacologic benefit of i.p. administration. If local toxicity does not prove to be a major problem, i.p. VM26 may constitute a safe and practical mode of therapy in patients with intraabdominal tumors.