Intraperitoneal infusion of doxorubicin in the treatment of gynecologic carcinomas.

Intraperitoneally administered doxorubicin yields high local concentrations that are expected to deliver higher doses to clinically important peritoneal and lymphatic metastatic sites. Two infusions of 20 mg and 30 mg in a patient with residual microscopic intraperitoneal ovarian cancer eradicated her disease. Quantification of serum doxorubicin by HPLC revealed significant levels of the drug and its major metabolite lasting 72 hours. A 50-mg infusion induced complete remission in endometrial carcinoma; the patient died in 6 months without evidence of abdominal tumor. Complications due to subcutaneous infiltration of doxorubicin and possible systemic effects of sustained high levels of the drug need further investigation to enable the full exploitation of this modality.