Leukopoiesis is not affected after intravenous treatment with the novel antineoplastic agent taurolidine. Results of an experimental study in rats.
OBJECTIVE
Chemotherapy can induce serious leukopenia. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects on leukopoiesis when the antineoplastic agent taurolidine (TRD) is administered by a bolus injection or during repetitive treatment (21 cycles) over 7 days in rats.


METHODS
Rats were intravenously treated with a single injection (A) or by a 7-day treatment (B) with increasing doses of TRD versus control (isotone sodium) in a standardized animal model. Hematological adverse effects on leukopoiesis were analyzed in peripheral blood.


RESULTS
(A) Neither the highest TRD concentration (3%) nor 1 or 2% caused a significant difference between the control and TRD groups (p > 0.085) in the perioperative course after bolus administration. (B) The administration of TRD 3% led to a slight change of granulocyte and monocyte counts compared to the control group particularly on postoperative day 7, but this difference was not significant. In both protocols a slight postoperative increase in leukocytes was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
We report that TRD administered intravenously in an antitumor dose does not affect leukopoiesis in rats. Thus, the agent offers a promising and safe means in cancer treatment. The effects are currently investigated in incurable cancer patients.
Braumann
C
C
Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. chris.braumann@charite.de
Menenakos
C
C
Atanassov
V
V
Pfirrmann
R W
RW
Guenther
N
N
Jacobi
C A
CA
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019891:Leukopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013829:Thiadiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013829:Thiadiazines; D013654:Taurine; C012566:taurolidine