Paclitaxel compatibility with a triple-lumen polyurethane central catheter

The goal of this study was to determine whether a polyurethane central catheter is suitable for the administration of paclitaxel infusions. Two potential problems were evaluated: (1) paclitaxel loss due to sorption to the catheter material, and (2) extraction of materials from the polyurethane matrix of the central catheter by the Cremophor EL® surfactant in the paclitaxel injection. Paclitaxel 0.3 mg/mL in 5% dextrose injection was evaluated for completeness of paclitaxel delivery during a simulated 24-hour administration. The paclitaxel diluents at concentrations equivalent to 0.3 mg/mL and 1.2 mg/mL in 5% dextrose injection were evaluated for the potential to extract 2,6-toluenediamine (2,6-TDA) or 2,4-toluenediamine (2,4-TDA) (potentially present as residues from polyurethane manufacture) and an unknown component of the catheter matrix obtained by dissolving the polyurethane in tetrahydrofuran. Both paclitaxel delivery and extraction of catheter components were determined using high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analyses. No loss of drug due to sorption to the catheter matrix occurred. Furthermore, none of the admixtures at either concentration delivered through the polyurethane catheters exhibited any detectable 2,6-TDA, 2,4-TDA, or the unknown material from the catheter matrix that eluted at 13.5 minutes in the HPLC analysis. The Arrow-Howes triple- lumen central catheter tested is suitable for administration of paclitaxel concentrations in the range of 0.3 and 1.2 mg/mL in 5% dextrose injection of long or short duration.