Pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine in man.

The pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine has been investigated by a new HPLC method in 8 cancer patients receiving 8 weekly doses (30 mg.m-2) administered by brief infusion (15 min). The plasma concentration-time curves showed a tri-exponential decay with a long terminal half-life (44.7 h) and a high volume of distribution (Vz = 75.61.kg-1). The concentrations after the 8th infusion were significantly lower than after the 1st infusion, but without significant modification of CL (1.28 l.h-1.kg-1) or AUC (0.80 mg.l-1.h). The pharmacokinetic parameters exhibited wide interindividual variations. The results are consistent with those of previous RIA studies, although the HPLC method appears to be more specific and more precise.