Hemodilution in isolated tumor perfusion.

Experiments are performed to study the influence of local hemodilution on tumor blood flow, oxygen availability in tumor tissue and O2 consumption of cancer cells. The results obtained clearly show that hemodilution in isolated tumor perfusion can distinctly improve nutritive blood flow through solid tumors. This can be utilized to enhance pharmacokinetics of antitumor drugs. Due to the improved metabolic status, the pharmacodynamics of some antitumor drugs should also be enhanced. To achieve a maximum improvement of the O2 supply to the tumor, hematocrit values should not be decreased below 0.20.