[Optimal administration schedules of antineoplastic antibiotics based on their pharmacokinetics, with special reference to bleomycins and anthracyclines]

Abstract

Optimal dose schedule of administration of antitumor antibiotics-bleomycin, adriamycin and aclacinomycin A-was reviewed from a point of view of pharmacokinetics. In case of bleomycin, according to its fast disappearance from blood, fast and significant excretion into urine, cell-cycle-dependent antitumor action, fast repair of potentially lethal damage, and pulmonary toxicity due to damage in endothelium of pulmonary capillary caused by high blood concentration of bleomycin, continuous intravenous administration seems to be a useful method to prevent pulmonary toxicity and to enhance antitumor effect. In case of adriamycin, according to its cardiotoxicity due to damage in cardiac muscle cell caused by high blood concentration on adriamycin, drip infusion or weekly low dose schedule is a safe, effective therapy to prevent cardiomyopathy. In case of aclacinomycin A, based on the mechanism of action of its marked inhibition in RNA synthesis compared to adriamycin, daily administration for certain days is an effective method.