This study evaluates the metabolism of the anticancer drug topotecan (TPT) in the isolated perfused rat liver of male Wistar-rats. Using a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method, in bile TPT, its ring-opened hydroxycarboxylate form and three new metabolites could be quantified. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the metabolites with beta-glucuronidase and mass spectroscopy revealed the existence of glucuronidated TPT as well as unconjugated and glucuronidated bidesmethyl TPT. Biliary secretion of glucuronidated N-bidesmethyl TPT was fast reaching a maximum already after 15 min(30.6 +/- 15.1 pmol/g liver.min), whereas secretion of TPT, topotecan glucuronide and N-bidesmethyl TPT was delayed (maximum at 30 min: 431 +/- 19, 6.4 +/- 2.1 and 12.7 +/- 2.7 pmol/g liver.min, respectively). No release of TPT metabolites into the perfusate was detected. The amount of TPT, TPT glucuronide, N-bidesmethyl TPT and N-bidesmethyl TPT glucuronide excreted into bile during 60 min of perfusion was 2.10 +/- 0.483%, 0.031 +/- 0.006%, 0.058 +/- 0.013% and 0.108 +/- 0.012% of TPT cleared from the perfusate over 60 min, respectively. In conclusion we could identify three novel TPT metabolites, however, their overall metabolism in the rat liver is low.