A sensitive noninvasive analysis of Pt in external tissues. Followup of Pt deposition following cisplatin treatment.

Noninvasive analysis of heavy elements in external tissues by diagnostic-x-ray spectrometry (DXS) is presented. Pt can be detected accurately with sensitivity below 1 microgram/g wet weight of tissue. In the present paper the possibility to monitor Pt accumulation and clearance in the external tissues of cancer patients treated with cisplatin [Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)-cDDP] chemotherapy is reported. The DXS method is based on x-ray fluorescence analysis. Heavy elements in the small skin area of interest are analyzed by their excitation with a monochromatic soft x-ray beam of 14.6 KeV. Spectral L lines of heavy metals such as Pt are detected with minimum interference by other elements in the tissues. Skin Pt levels up to about 6 micrograms/g were observed following several courses of cDDP treatment. The Pt seemed to be homogeneously distributed in different skin areas with similar levels in the dermis and epidermis. The rate of clearance of Pt from the skin (50% in about 30 days) was slower by three orders of magnitude than its clearance from plasma. Further studies may use DXS to establish the accurate kinetics of Pt deposition and clearance in tissues of cDDP treated patients, as well as the exact relation between tissue Pt levels and the development of the drug related late complications.