LEAN BODY-MASS, BODY-SURFACE AREA AND EPIRUBICIN KINETICS

For a number of cytotoxics, a relationship between efficacy and plasma concentrations has recently been demonstrated. Lean body mass has bee n demonstrated to be a useful parameter for predicting drug clearance for a number of non-cytotoxic drugs. However, the role of lean body ma ss in predicting drug clearance for any cytotoxic drug has not been pr eviously reported. Our purpose was to investigate lean body mass as a predictor of epirubicin clearance. Pharmacokinetic studies were perfor med in 10 patients receiving single agent epirubicin. Although prelimi nary, this study suggests that lean body should be further evaluated a nd tested in dose optimization studies.