EPEG, a new antineoplastic epipodophyllotoxin

Nine patients were studied with tritium-labeled EPEG, a new epipodophyllotoxin antineoplastic agent. Four patients received 220 and 5 received 290 mg/sq m body surface area intravenously in 500 ml in 1 hr. Postinfusion plasma decay was biphasic with mean values for the parameters at 220 mg/sq m, A, 25.8 mug/ml; B, 3.35 mug/ml: alpha, 0.50 hr-1; beta, 0.074 hr-1, and mean values at 290 mg/sq. m, A, 33.7 mug/ml; B, 4.35 mug/ml; alpha, 0.36 hr-1; beta, 0.066 hr-1. Mean volume of distribution was 32.07% of body weight. Urinary recovery was 43.5%, of which 66.8% was unchanged drug. Penetration of drug into the cerebrospinal fluid was poor. The results indicate that both renal excretion and metabolism are important for elimination of the drug.