Abstract
The distribution of ifosfamide (IF) and its metabolites 2‐dechloroethylifosfamide (2DCE), 3‐dechloroethylifosfamide (3DCE), 4‐hydroxyifosfamide (4OHIF) and ifosforamide mustard (IFM) between plasma and erythrocytes was examined in vitro and in vivo. In vitro distribution was investigated by incubating blood with various concentrations of IF and its metabolites. In vivo distribution of IF, 2DCE, 3DCE and 4OHIF was determined in 7 patients receiving 9 g/m^2^/72 h intravenous continuous IF infusion. In vitro distribution equilibrium between erythrocytes and plasma was obtained quickly after drug addition. Mean (±sem) in vitro and in vivo erythrocyte (e)–plasma (p) partition coefficients (P~e/p~) were 0.75±0.01 and 0.81±0.03, 0.62±0.09 and 0.73±0.05, 0.76±0.10 and 0.93±0.05 and 1.38±0.04 and 0.98±0.09 for IF, 2DCE, 3DCE and 4OHIF, respectively. These ratios were independent of concentration and unaltered with time. The ratios of the area under the erythrocyte and plasma concentration‐‐time curves (AUC~e/p~) were 0.96±0.03, 0.87±0.07, 0.98±0.06 and 1.34±0.39, respectively. A time‐ and concentration‐dependent distribution‐‐equilibrium phenomenon was observed with the relative hydrophilic IFM. It is concluded that IF and metabolites rapidly reach distribution equilibrium between erythrocytes and plasma; the process is slower for IFM. Drug distribution to the erythrocyte fraction ranged from about 38% for 2DCE to 58% for 4OHIF, and was stable over a wide range of clinically relevant concentrations. A strong parallelism in the erythrocyte and plasma concentration profiles was observed for all compounds. Thus, pharmacokinetic assessment using only plasma sampling yields direct and accurate insights into the whole blood kinetics of IF and metabolites and may be used for pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic studies. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.