In vivo determination of doxorubicin and its metabolites within the skin using laser scanning microscopy

Much research in medicine is,focused on the development of antitumoral, therapies. The encapsulation of the single chemotherapy agent doxorubicin in highly stable Steallth(R) liposomes can cause dominant and dose-limiting mucocutaneous reactions, such as the hand-foot syndrome. The aim of the study was to determine the kinetic and localization of doxorubicin or its metabolites within the skin in vivo therefore, a laser scanning microscope was used, to, excite, and detect the fluorescence of these compounds. The approach was tested on Porcine skin after topical application of the agent prior to measurement. Subsequently, the laser,scanning microscope was used to study skin areas mainly affected by the hand-foot syndrome on a patient who had undergone a therapy with the encapsulated doxorubicin (Caelyx(R)). Fluorescence was detected on the skin surface of the axilla, on the forehead inside furrows and the sebaceous glands (I h after commencement of the treatment) and within the skin of the sole and the palm (2 h after beginning the injection). These signals were determined for up to 3.5 h. The results obtained indicate that both the sweat glands and sebaceou's glands function as pathways for the release of doxorubicin or its metabolites. The described method opens the possibility for further studies to develop and test prevention strategies against the band-foot syndrome.