The objective of this work has been to analyse the repartition of platinum (Pt) tissular levels within the tumour (T), the peritumoral adjacent non-tumoral area (P) and distant healthy tissue of the s Show more
The objective of this work has been to analyse the repartition of platinum (Pt) tissular levels within the tumour (T), the peritumoral adjacent non-tumoral area (P) and distant healthy tissue of the same anatomical zone (H) in oesophagus cancer. Forty-two biopsies (congruent to 5 mg) have been performed under endoscopy and after informed consent in 11 patients (mean age 61 yr, range 43-74) with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus treated by the neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocol including cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and 5-FU (1 g/m2 x 5 days). Biopsies were done 34-36 h after cisplatin. Additional biopsies were obtained for histological controls. Pt was measured by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. Considering Pt concentration in T, P and H there was no significant accumulation during repeated treatment (3 cycles). For all cycles, mean [S.D.] values (micrograms/g dry tissue) were 2.03 [2.39] for H, 2.75 [2.03] for P and 3.73 [2.3] for T (H vs. T, P = 0.006). In addition, Pt concentrations were found comparable between the upper and lower poles of the tumours (5 patients). Pt concentrations in T did not predict antitumour activity. These data complete the rather limited knowledge on tissular Pt levels in treated patients and suggest a decreasing gradient of Pt concentrations from tumour to healthy tissue in oesophagus cancer. Show less