The pharmacokinetics of a new radiosensitiser, Ro 03-8799 in humans.

A new hypoxic cell radiosensitiser, Ro 03-8799 has been administered intravenously to human volunteers and its kinetic parameters derived from plasma and urine data. Good penetration of drug into tumour tissue is found, consistent with its large volume of distribution. The plasma clearance of this compound is rapid due to high metabolic and renal clearances. These parameters combine to produce an elimination half-life of 5.6 h, approximately half that of misonidazole, a well studied radiosensitiser. It is hoped that this decrease in total body exposure will also reduce the cumulative toxicity seen when misonidazole is administered repeatedly.