Background:
Melphalan is frequently used in conditioning regimens prior to autologous stem cell transplantation. The pharmacokinetics of melphalan have shown great interindividual variations. This study aims to investigate the pharmacokinetics of melphalan and to study those influences on renal function and the clinical outcomes.
Methods:
The pharmacokinetics of melphalan following high dose (100∼140mg/m2) i.v. administration was determined in 11 patients suffering with advanced malignancies and who were undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation. The plasma level of melphalan was assayed by a specific HPLC method.
Results:
The pharmacokinetics parameters (median AUC: 625.2mg/L/min, steady-state volume of distribution (Vdss): 14.87L/m2, total body clearance: 0.2L/min/m2, half life: 55.9 min, and maximal plasma concentration: 7.61mg/L) were similar to those reported in the literature. No relationship between the pharmacokinetics of melphalan and creatinine clearance, the non-hematologic toxicities and relapse was observed. Only Vdss was correlated with myelosuppression (P＜0.05).
Conclusion:
The pharmacokinetics of melphalan were similar to those reported in Caucasians. The PK parameters did not correlate with the clinical outcomes in patients with normal renal function. Further studies on patients with renal failure are needed.

Keywords: Melphalan, Pharmacokinetics, High dose chemotherapy