title: Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of continuous infusion amphotericin B in cancer patients.
abstract: To evaluate the role of amphotericin B (AmB) in the biochemical modulation of antineoplastic agents, AmB was administered as a continuous infusion over a period of 52 to 120 h to 14 patients (26 courses) with advanced carcinomas. Continuous infusion amphotericin B (CI-AmB) was delivered at a rate of 0.5 to 0.8 mg/kg/d (19-31 mg/m2/d). The AmB plateau levels assayed by HPLC ranged from 0.7 to 1.9 micrograms/mL and were directly related to the infusion rate. The AmB plasma disposition was biphasic, with mean half-lives of 17 h for the first phase and 11 d for the terminal phase, and a mean residence time of 12 d. Biochemical modulation of antineoplastic agents (lomustine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide) by CI-AmB was not demonstrated clinically. Acute toxicities of fever and chills were noted in only 3 of the 26 courses. Reversible renal toxicity was observed in 23 courses. Therapeutic antifungal plasma levels were rapidly reached and maintained for the duration of infusion, with a reduction of acute toxicities associated with shorter infusions. These observations provide impetus for further clinical investigation of CI-AmB.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Chabot
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pazdur
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Valeriote
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000666:Amphotericin B