Preclinical toxicity study of mitomycin C infused into the internal carotid artery of beagle dogs.

Young adult male and female beagle dogs were infused with single doses of 0.5 (2 dogs) or 0.25 mg (5 dogs) Mitomycin C (MMC)/kg body weight directly into the internal carotid artery. Serial hematology and serum chemistry profiles, electrocardiograms and physical observations were made, the animals necropsied at varying times after dosage, and the major organs examined histologically. Results indicate that the dose limiting toxicity of this treatment regimen is myelosuppression. No ocular or neurologic toxicity was detected in any test animal. The findings suggest that infusion of MMC can be safely attempted in humans for the treatment of brain tumors that derive their blood supply from the internal carotid artery.