The rabbit as an experimental model for regional chemotherapy. 1. Intra-arterial hindlimb infusion.

Regional delivery of chemotherapy to a tumour or tumour-bearing region has pharmacokinetic advantages over the systemic route. The applications of an animal model for regional drug delivery are outlined. The technique for intra-arterial infusion in the rabbit hindlimb is described. The use of the implantable VX2 rabbit carcinoma as a model for solid human tumours may be studied by this method. Pharmacokinetic data obtained with the model allow comparison between systemic and regional routes of delivery. The distribution of the cancerostatic plant toxin ricin following regional delivery has been investigated using this experimental model.