title: Differential pulse polarographic determination of BCNU pharmacokinetics in patients with lung cancer.
abstract: BCNU levels were determined by differential pulse polarography in 12 patients with lung cancer. A simple assay method for submicrogram quantities of nitrosoureas is described. The half-life of BCNU added to plasma in vitro was 1413 mins at 0 degrees C and 12 mins at 37 degrees C during incubation. BCNU kinetics in blood of treated patients was calculated using the two-compartment open model; the half-life of the drug was 1.4 mins in the first phase and 17.8 mins in the second. Mean distribution volume was 2.59 liters/kg and plasma clearance was 16.7 ml/min/kg.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011048:Polarography / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D002330:Carmustine