Comparison of intraperitoneal with intravenous administration of taxol in experimental peritoneal carcinomatosis.
BACKGROUND
Recurrent tumor growth of colorectal carcinoma at the peritoneal site remains an unsolved problem. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the substance taxol (paclitaxel) can alter intraperitoneal tumor spread using different modes of drug application.


METHODS
Intraperitoneal tumor growth was induced using a tumor cell transfer model (10(6) cells) in rats divided into 3 groups: (1) taxol was applied directly into the abdominal cavity, intraperitoneally or intravenously, immediately following intraperitoneal tumor cell transfer; (2) early postoperative intraperitoneal and intravenous chemotherapy was administered on days 5, 10 and 15 after surgical intervention using an intraperitoneal or intravenous port-a-cath; (3) control group. Thirty days after tumor cell transfer, rats were sacrificed, and tumor weight, number of nodes (at greater omentum and peritoneum) and ascites volume were determined.


RESULTS
Taxol generated a significant inhibitory effect on peritoneal tumor growth. Direct intraoperative intraperitoneal application of taxol induced a more pronounced effect compared with early postoperative intraperitoneal application of the antineoplastic drug. Both application modes were superior to the intravenous route (no significant effect).


CONCLUSIONS
Taxol appears to be a potential chemotherapeutic drug providing a significant effect in the therapeutic management of peritoneal carcinomatosis under experimental conditions. Combination of taxol with cytostatic agents and new drugs generating different effector mechanisms may help to further diminish or even to prevent intraperitoneal tumor growth.
Hribaschek
Arndt
A
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany. arndth@t-online.de
Meyer
Frank
F
Schneider-Stock
Regine
R
Pross
Matthias
M
Ridwelski
Karsten
K
Lippert
Hans
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D051381:Rats; D011912:Rats, Inbred ACI; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel