Continuous hepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil for unresectable colorectal liver metastases: phase II study.
BACKGROUND
Although hepatic arterial infusion therapy (HAIT) with 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine for colorectal liver metastases yielded a good response, the treatment may be limited by hepatic toxicities. This study was designed to evaluate HAIT by using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), with the expectation of a good response with little hepatic toxicities.


METHODS
HAIT was begun at a dose of 360 mg/m2 of 5-FU for 7 days by using an extracorporeal infusion pump, followed by 180 mg/m2 of 5-FU for 21 days. After a 7-day interval, 180 mg/m2 of 5-FU was infused for 7 days; this 7-day infusion/7-day no infusion cycle was repeated.


RESULTS
Fifty-three of the 68 patients who were referred to this study were evaluable. Complete response was observed in two patients and partial response in 25 (response rate of 50.9%), with a median survival time of 11 months: 18 months for 27 responders and 7 months for 26 nonresponders. Gastrointestinal complications were observed in 18 patients: abdominal pain in nine, vomiting in five, and bleeding in four. No hepatobiliary or hematologic toxicities occurred. Infusion-related complications occurred in 20 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
HAIT with 5-FU may provide an effect similar to HAIT with fluoro-2' deoxyuridine but without hepatobiliary complications.
Sugihara
K
K
Department of Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012074:Remission Induction; D015996:Survival Rate; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D005472:Fluorouracil