Pharmacokinetics of regional therapy: isolated limb infusion and other low flow techniques for extremity melanoma.

ABSTRACT

Isolated limb infusion (ILI) provides a simple, minimally invasive, and yet effective method of delivering high doses of cytotoxic drugs into tumor tissue with minimal systemic side effects because there is no significant drug leakage into the systemic circulation. The ILI technique is a technically less complex procedure than conventional ILP that can be used in patients who have advanced or persistently recurrent disease in an extremity. It is an attractive palliative option because it preserves limb function and maintains quality of life. Repeat ILI is safe and effective. Because the risk for systemic leakage is extremely low, ILI provides an excellent model in which to test new drugs and drug combinations.