PACLITAXEL (TAXOL(R)) CONCENTRATIONS IN BRAIN-TUMOR TISSUE

Background: Paclitaxel (Taxol(R)) is a novel chemotherapeutic agent, a ctive against a variety of tumors. It is not known whether the drug pe netrates brain tumor tissue. Patients and methods: Three patients with a recurrent glioma received paclitaxel(175 mg/m(2)) in a 3-hour i.v. infusion prior to surgery. Paclitaxel concentrations were measured in the tumor tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, cyst fluid, plasma and, in one patient, normal brain tissue. Results: Tumor tissue concentrations wer e in the therapeutic range in all three patients. Brain tissue concent ration, however, was below the detection limit of the trial. Conclusio ns: These findings suggest that paclitaxel may have a place in brain t umor therapy. The low concentration in normal brain tissue, as observe d in one patient, may suggest, however, that the drug does not cross t he intact blood-brain barrier.