title: Low dose ara-C administered by continuous subcutaneous infusion: a pharmacologic evaluation.
abstract: Low dose ara-C has been widely used in the treatment of preleukemia and leukemia. These studies have generally utilized either a twice daily, subcutaneous bolus schedule or a continuous intravenous infusion schedule. In order to surmount the logistical problems of long term intravenous infusion while providing prolonged ara-C exposure, we have studied the pharmacology of administering ara-C (20 mg/M2/d) by continuous subcutaneous infusion. The results obtained in eight patients demonstrate that steady state plasma ara-C levels achieved during continuous subcutaneous infusion (24.6-65.6 nM) are not significantly different than those obtained during intravenous infusions (26.2-61.5 nM). Subcutaneous infusions result in prolonged myelosuppression similar to that seen with continuous intravenous infusions. The continuous infusion of low dose ara-C by the subcutaneous route provides a treatment option for some outpatients and offers advantages over intravenous infusions which often require placement of venous catheters or hospitalization.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011289:Preleukemia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine