title: Simulated infusion of paclitaxel with in-line filters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paclitaxel is one of the most effective anticancer drugs ever developed. To prevent hazards associated with intravenous (IV) administration which include the formation of microbubbles, microbiological contamination and particulate matter, the suppliers recommend that an in-line IV filter should be used during the infusion of the chemotherapeutic agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  To rule out the possibility that polyethersulfone (PES) membranes retain the paclitaxel during filtration, we carried out specific tests. Paclitaxel retention by PES in-line IV filters was evaluated by a simulated-drug IV infusion and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our model of study, no variation of paclitaxel concentration was revealed before and after filtration using two different filter devices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that, under our experimental conditions, paclitaxel concentration in saline solution remains constant before and after filtration. Indeed, our study indicates that the filters analyzed herein, other than preventing hazards associated with IV administration, do not retain paclitaxel, thus avoiding the reduction of the drug concentration and potency during filtration.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Morphology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bononi
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Forgetta
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldisserotto
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tognon
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000737:chemistry; D013450:Sulfones / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D011108:Polymers; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D013450:Sulfones; C022840:polyether sulfone; D017239:Paclitaxel