Animal experiments as a model for clinical trials of a new dosage form of mitomycin C for peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Rabbits with peritoneal carcinomatosis induced by VX2 carcinoma were used as an experimental model to study a new dosage form of mitomycin C, MMC-CH, comprising activated carbon adsorbing mitomycin C. Rabbits revived an intraperitoneal injection of mitomycin C (1 mg/kg in the form of MMC-CH or 0.185 mg/kg in the form of mitomycin C solution). The two doses were equal in toxicity. MMC-CH extended survival time measured in days to 139% as compared to mitomycin C solution. Autopsy findings showed peritoneal carcinomatosis to be much less developed with MMC-CH than with mitomycin C solution. Hematological and blood biochemical analyses showed no remarkable abnormality.