Uptake of 5-fluorouracil during isolated perfusion of the canine liver.

This study describes a technique of hepatic isolated perfusion in dogs. The uptake of 14C-labeled 5 fluorouracil (5-FU) by the normal canine liver was fourfold greater when isolated perfusion was used than when peripheral intravenous administration or hepatic artery infusion were applied. Systemic leakage of 5-FU was small during, and even following, hepatic isolated perfusion. This technique, which maximizes chemotherapy delivery to the liver while minimizing systemic toxicity, may be useful in the treatment of primary and metastatic hepatic malignancies.