The pharmacokinetic study on cis-(glycolato-O,O') [(4R,5R)-4,5-bis(aminomethyl)-2-isopropyl-1,3-dioxolane]-platinum(II) (SKI 2034R, NSC D642489) was performed in beagle dogs. A single dose of 2.0 mg/kg of SKI 2034R was given by i.v. bolus to three beagle dogs. Plasma samples were analyzed for platinum by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plasma concentrations of total and ultrafiltrable platinum for SKI 2034R declined in a biexponential fashion. The mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-->infinity) determined for ultrafiltrable platinum derived from SKI 2034R, as an active component, was 2.76 +/- 0.13 micrograms.h/ml (mean +/- S.D.), with an initial half-life of 0.15 +/- 0.09 hour, a terminal half-life of 0.96 +/- 0.12 hour, a total clearance of 12.07 +/- 0.67 ml/min/kg, and a steady-state volume of distribution of 0.82 +/- 0.06 1/kg.