SELECTIVE DELIVERY OF A GREATER AMOUNT OF METHOTREXATE TO REGIONAL LYMPH-NODES USING A NEW DOSAGE FORMULATION, METHOTREXATE ADSORBED ON ACTIVATED CARBON PARTICLES, IN RATS

A new dosage formulation (MTX-CH) comprising methotrexate (MTX) adsorb ed onto a suspension of activated carbon particles was developed for t he treatment of lymph node metastases. In vitro studies showed that ac tivated carbon particles adsorbed a great amount of MTX. Subcutaneous injection of MTX-CH into the left hind foot pad of rats distributed a greater amount of MTX selectively to the regional lymph nodes (the lef t popliteal node and the para-aortic nodes) for a longer period of tim e than similar administration of MTX aqueous solution with a smaller a mount of MTX distributed to the rest of the whole body.