title: Solvent systems for intracarotid 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) infusion.
abstract: The agent, 1,3-bis(3-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), when given by arterial infusion for brain tumor chemotherapy is usually dissolved in an alcohol/saline solution. The authors compared the osmolality of and drug recovery from solvent systems of alcohol/saline, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/water, and dextrose/water. Recovery of drug was adequate from all solvent systems, although variability of drug recovery from the alcohol/saline and DMSO/water systems was greater than from the dextrose/water system. The alcohol/saline system was significantly hyperosmolar. The alcohol/saline and DMSO/water solvent systems offer no advantage over the dextrose/water system and may be associated with significant disadvantages.
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D002330:Carmustine