Characterization of the pharmacokinetics of bisantrene (NSC-337766).

The pharmacokinetics of bisantrene, 9,10-anthracenedicarboxaldehyde bis [4,5-dihydro-1 H-imidazol-2-yl) hydrazone) dihydrochloride were evaluated during a Phase I clinical investigation. Bisantrene at doses of 20 to 280 mg/m2 was administered by variable infusion rates to nine patients with advanced metastatic cancer. Bisantrene's plasma clearance followed a triexponential pattern with a harmonic mean terminal half-life (t1/2 gamma) of 26 h. The steady state volume of distribution (Vdss) was large, averaging 627 l/m2. Plasma clearance averaged 42.6 +/- 6.7 l/h/m2. The cumulative urinary excretion of bisantrene was 3.6 +/- 1.6% at 48 h.