Pharmacokinetics of chemotherapy delivered by ophthalmic artery super-selective infusion

SCHAIQUEVICH P; CHANTADA G

Recent Advances in Retinoblastoma Treatment

Springer

Año: 2014;

Super-selective ophthalmic artery infusion of chemotherapy is a powerful treatment option for intraocular retinoblastoma. However, the dose and schedule for drug administration are selected empirically. A scientific approach could be based if knowing the amount of chemotherapy that effectively targets the ocular structures after local delivery and the availability at the bloodstream that correlates specifically with severe myelosupression. The pharmacokinetics of each drug has to be characterized after a specific local route of administration as it can differ from other drugs and of course, among local routes. Therefore, the characterization of the pharmacokinetics of a chemotherapy agent after local delivery is an important concept that allows selecting a strategy of drug delivery for retinoblastoma with a rational basis but has to be studied for a deep understanding. Pharmacokinetic studies have been carried out in different animal models and patients with retinoblastoma. Differences, advantages and disadvantages of each model will be discussed for a better understanding. Therefore, in the present chapter we will discuss general concepts of pharmacokinetics and specifically, we will overview the current knowledge about topotecan and melphalan pharmacokinetics after super-selective ophthalmic artery infusion and the relationship with pharmacodynamic parameters in animals and patients.