Preoperative chemotherapy according to the COSS 86 protocol, including two courses of cisplatin, was used for high-risk osteosarcoma. Patients were randomised to receive either intraarterial (i.a.) or intravenous (i.v.) cisplatin infusions. As measured by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), platinum (Pt) levels in serum, ultrafiltrate, and urine did not show a decrease in systemic drug availability with i.a. administration. Tumors were surgically removed 3 weeks after the last cisplatin dose and analysed for Pt content and response to chemotherapy. A correlation could not be demonstrated between Pt levels in tumor tissue samples and the mode of CDDP application or extent of tumor cell destruction.
