Use of intrahepatic chemotherapy to treat advanced pediatric hepatic malignancies.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the effect of intrahepatic arterial chemotherapy (IAC) on children with primary hepatic malignancies.


METHODS
A nonrandomized inception cohort of 11 pediatric patients was referred for treatment of advanced primary hepatic malignancies at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. None of the patients was a candidate for resection before the initiation of IAC. Tumor response to treatment was observed by determining serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and by abdominal computed tomographic scan. The patients received hepatic artery infusions of cisplatin and/or doxorubicin. The last five also received gelfoam embolization.


RESULTS
Eight of 11 patients had multiple IAC treatments. Eight patients had AFP-producing tumors, and five of the eight had dramatic reductions in serum levels after IAC treatment. Five of the 11 patients underwent successful orthotopic liver transplantation after receiving IAC therapy, and the five explanted specimens showed varying degrees of tumor necrosis. One-year survival in patients in the authors' center is 67% for those with hepatoblastoma and 40% for those with hepatocellular carcinoma. Three-year survival is 60% and 30% for patients with hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Intrahepatic arterial chemotherapy therapy can halt the progression and possibly down-stage advanced pediatric hepatic malignancies. This therapy can also be used as a successful adjunct in altering a patient's chance for successful liver transplantation.
Gerber
D A
DA
Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
Arcement
C
C
Carr
B
B
Towbin
R
R
Mazariegos
G
G
Reyes
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D018197:Hepatoblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin