Investigational New Drugs

, Volume 1, Issue 1, pp 59–64 | Cite as

Pharmacokinetics of 4′-epi-doxorubicin in man

  • H. Weenen
  • J. Lankelma
  • P. G. M. Penders
  • J. G. McVie
  • W. W. Ten Bokkel Huinink
  • M. M. de Planque
  • H. M. Pinedo
Clinical

Summary

The pharmacokinetics of 4′-epi-doxorubicin (4′-epi-adriamycin, 4′-epi-DX) in man can be described by a three-compartment model with a rapid distribution phase and a very long elimination phase. Urine excretion amounts to a total of about 11% of the administered dose during 48 h after drug administration, and less than 1% during the following 48 h. In plasma 4′-epi-doxorubicin is rapidly converted to five metabolites (4′-epi-doxorubicinol, aglycones and glucuronides), the concentration of the aglycones sometimes exceeding that of 4′-epi-DX. In urine only three metabolites were found in addition to the parent drug; they were identified as 4′-epi-doxorubicinol (EOH), 4′-epi-doxorubicin-glucuronide (E-Glu) and 4′-epi-doxorubicinol-glucuronide (EOH-Glu). Comparison of the pharmacokinetics and metabolic profiles of 4′-epi-DX and doxorubicin (DX) in man revealed that 4′-epi-DX eliminates faster than DX.

Key words

anthracyclines 4′-epi-doxorubicin pharmacokinetics in man metabolism in man 

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Copyright information

© Martinus Nijhoff Publishers 1983

Authors and Affiliations

  • H. Weenen
    • 1
  • J. Lankelma
    • 1
  • P. G. M. Penders
    • 1
  • J. G. McVie
    • 1
  • W. W. Ten Bokkel Huinink
    • 1
  • M. M. de Planque
    • 1
  • H. M. Pinedo
    • 1
  1. 1.Division of Experimental ChemotherapyNetherlands Cancer InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands

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