Regional chemoimmunotherapy for nonresectable metastatic liver disease of colorectal origin. A prospective randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
The study has been designed to assess the potential advantages of regional targeting chemoimmunotherapy versus systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy in a number of patients suffering from nonresectable metastatic liver disease of colorectal origin.


METHODS
From January 1996 to January 2001 (86) patients with unresectable metastatic liver disease of colorectal origin were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A (n = 44 patients), who received regional targeting chemoimmunotherapy through an arterial catheter introduced subcutaneously under echo guidance into the hepatic artery. Group B (n = 42 patients) received systemic chemoimmunotherapy.


RESULTS
Survival of Group A patients ranged from 9 to 48 months (mean: 33 months), while Group B patients' survival ranged from 8 to 18 months (mean: 10 months). Response to treatment was 75% for Group A patients versus 52% for Group B. There were statistically significant differences in survival between the two groups (P = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that the data of this study reconfirms previously reported experience about the advantages of regional chemoimmunotherapy when compared with systemic chemoimmunotherapy for the management of advanced metastatic liver disease.
Lygidakis
N J
NJ
Department of Surgical Oncology, Athens Central Clinic, Athens, Greece. iasg@iasg.org
Sgourakis
G
G
Dedemadi
G
G
Safioleus
M C
MC
Nestoridis
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies