Intra-arterial hepatic carboplatin-based chemotherapy for ocular melanoma metastatic to the liver. Report of a phase II study.
OBJECTIVE
ocular melanoma tends to metastasize to the liver, sparing for a long time the rest of the organism. Therefore, a regional treatment is especially indicated.


METHODS
eight patients with ocular melanoma metastatic to the liver were treated with intra-arterial hepatic carboplatin-based chemotherapy at the dose of 300 mg/m2 once every two weeks at an out-patient clinic. All the patients were submitted to laparotomy with surgical implantation of an arterial port device through the gastroduodenal artery.


RESULTS
the overall response rate was 38% with a median survival time of 15 months. The regimen was well tolerated and the principle toxicity was myelosuppression; any instance of hepatic and/or cholangitic damage was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Carboplatin seems suitable for intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy and active in ocular melanoma metastatic to the liver.
Cantore
M
M
Oncology Department, Civil Hospital of Mantova, Italy.
Fiorentini
G
G
Aitini
E
E
Davitti
B
B
Cavazzini
G
G
Rabbi
C
C
Lusenti
A
A
Bertani
M
M
Morandi
C
C
Benedini
V
V
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016190:Carboplatin