Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil-based regimens in the management of liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma

• Published in: International journal of clinical oncology 1998-06, Vol.3 (3), p.171-175
• Main Authors: Seki, Hiroshi, Kimura, Motomasa, Yoshimura, Norihiko, Ozaki, Toshirou, Sakai, Kunio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemotherapy; Liver; Metastasis; Response rates
• ISSN: 1341-9625; 1437-7772
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02489911

We assessed the efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, using 5-fluorouracil-based regimens, in the treatment of unresectable liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma. Thirty patients with liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma were given hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil-based regimens, through an implantable port system, inserted into the hepatic artety by percutaneous procedures. Weekly 5-fluorouracil infusions were given to 17 patients, daily 5-fluorouracil infusions were given to 2, the MF (5-fluorouracil-mitomycin) regimen was given to 8, and the FEM (5-fluorouracil-epirubicin-mitomycin) regimen was given to 3. The median survival time was 11.6 months, with an overall response rate of 64%. These results were similar to those in previous reports on hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using floxuridine. Hematologic and hepatic toxicity was minimal Grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred in 2 patients (7%), and a grade 2 elevation of alkaline phosphatase, in 1 (4%). Biliary sclerosis was not observed. The major toxicity was nausea and vomiting, grade 2 or 3, most of which was controllable, in 5 patients (18%). The occurrence of hepatic failure resulting in death was significantly (P=0.0015) lower in responsive cases than in nonresponsive cases. We consider that 5-fluorouracil-based regimens can be used safely for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with minimal toxicity, and that they are useful in preventing hepatic failure, because of their high response rate.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]