Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a pilot study in 20 patients.
BACKGROUND
Liver transplantation for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma yields disappointing results. Most cases recur within 2 years, often in the transplanted liver.


METHODS
A combination of neoadjuvant doxorubicin and orthotopic liver transplantation was used in 20 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma confined to the liver. Seventeen patients had tumors > 5 cm in greatest diameter, and 11 cases were stage IVA by the TNM classification. Doxorubicin was administered preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively at a dose of 10 mg/m2 weekly, totaling 200 mg/m2.


RESULTS
Chemotherapy was well tolerated although leukopenia was observed in 70% of patients. Eight patients died, five of recurrent tumor and three of hepatitis B. Three others remain alive 8-22 months after tumor recurrence. One patient had initial tumor recurrence in the allograft. Actuarial survival is 59% and tumor-free survival is 54% at 3 years. For the 17 patients with tumors > 5 cm, overall survival is 63% and tumor-free survival is 49% at 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this pilot study suggest that neoadjuvant doxorubicin chemotherapy favorably alters the post-transplant survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Department of Oncology, Sammons Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas.
M J
MJ
Stone
G B
GB
Klintmalm
D
D
Polter
B S
BS
Husberg
R G
RG
Mennel
M A
MA
Ramsay
E R
ER
Flemens
R M
RM
Goldstein
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016019:Survival Analysis
D004317:Doxorubicin