Pharmacokinetics & drug resistance of melphalan in regional chemotherapy: ILP versus ILI.

Publication/Presentation Date

5-1-2008

Abstract

Two forms of regional chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced melanoma or sarcoma of the extremity are isolated limb perfusion (ILP) and the more recently described isolated limb infusion (ILI). Melphalan is the most commonly employed agent in both ILP and ILI, although it is often used in conjunction with other cytotoxic and/or biologic therapies. While ILP and ILI are far more effective for the treatment of extremity disease than is systemic therapy, there is still significant room for improvement in outcomes, from the standpoint of both response rate and toxicity. An understanding of the pharmacokinetics of regional chemotherapy would allow for the prediction of tumor response and toxicity and therefore patient outcomes. In addition, elucidating the mechanisms of drug resistance would lead to opportunities to develop effective chemo-modulators that enhance the effectiveness of ILP and ILI. This paper reviews progress in these two key areas of active investigation.

Volume

24

Issue

3

First Page

239

Last Page

249

ISSN

0265-6736

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

18393002

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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