Comparison of the Effects of Intra-Arterial and Intravenous Cisplatin on Both Limb Tumor and Lung Metastases of Transitional Cell Carcinoma RBT-1 in Rats

Abstract

The effects of intra-arterial (i.a.) and intravenous (i.v.) cisplatin on both limb tumor and lung metastases of transitional cell carcinoma RBT-1 in rats were compared. Tumor weights of limb tumors and the amount of lung nodules were evaluated on the eighth day after chemotherapy experiments. Both cisplatin 5 mg/kg i.a. and 5 mg/kg i.v. were administered to rats, but the intra-arterial method showed a significantly better effect on the limb tumor, whereas the intravenous method tended to be more effective on the lung metastases. Using the same dosage (5 mg/kg), the intra-arterial cisplatin group demonstrated a weaker level of nephrotoxicity and a smaller loss of body weight than seen in the intravenous cisplatin group. When a higher dose of cisplatin (6 mg/kg) was administered in the intra-arterial group, the antitumor effect on lung metastases and nephrotoxicity were similar to those of the group given cisplatin 5 mg/kg i.v. These data suggest that the dose of intra-arterial cisplatin can be slightly higher than that of intravenous cisplatin. Subsequently, a similar antitumor effect on lung metastases and a significantly better antitumor effect on primary tumor may be obtained at the equitoxic level.