We read with great interest the report of Bishiniotis et al
1
on intrapericardial administration of thiotepa in a selected population of 19 patients
with breast cancer and neoplastic pericardial effusion. This article confirms previous
reports on the efficacy and tolerability of this drug.
2
,
3
The authors suggest thiotepa as first-choice local chemotherapy for malignant pericardial
effusion, and state that its systemic absorption is minimal when given intrapericardially,
quoting an article published by 2 of us.
4
Actually, the article quoted concerned the use of teniposide, a completely different
drug (not an alkylating agent). It is possible (and likely) that all the drugs given
intrapericardially are minimally absorbed, but this has not yet been proven for thiotepa.
Moreover, in the study by Bishiniotis et al, thiotepa was not compared with any one
of the many other chemotherapeutic agents available for local therapy.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
- Malignant cardiac tamponade in women with breast cancer treated by pericardiocentesis and intrapericardial administration of triethylenethiophosphoramide (thiotepa).Am J Cardiol. 2000; 86: 362-364
- Pericardial effusion in patients with malignant neoplasms.Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1992; 122: 1517-1524
- Intracavitary chemotherapy with thiotepa in malignant pericardial effusions.J Clin Oncol. 1998; 16: 2371-2376
- Pharmacokinetics of VM26 given intrapericardially or intravenously in patients with malignant pericardial effusion.Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 1987; 20: 239-242
Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 16, 2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 Excerpta Medica Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
