The effect of continuous and discontinuous locoregional
chemotherapy with
Floxuridine (
FUdR) was studied in a standardized and controlled animal model, using the transplantable
Novikoff hepatoma in Sprague-Dawley rats. The liver was perfused after
transplantation with a total of 420 mg/kg
FUdR, via a fully implanted osmotic minipump or miniport and
catheter in the hepatic artery, either continuously (n = 22) from day 5 to day 12, or discontinuously (n = 28) on days 5 and 8. Viable
tumor volume and peritumorous cell infiltration were measured. No reduction in
tumor volume was attained using discontinuous
therapy, in contrast to a highly significant reduction using continuous
therapy (P less than 0.001). Significantly less cell infiltration was found after discontinuous than after continuous
therapy. In conclusion, continuous locoregional
chemotherapy with
FUdR was the superior administration method on measurable
tumor effect, when compared to discontinuous infusion.