Efficacy and toxicity of intra-arterial cisplatin and etoposide for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the results of an intra-arterially delivered combination chemotherapy in a group of patients with regionally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
26 patients with proven locally advanced HCC treated with hepatic artery infusion of cisplatin (20 mg/m(2), days 1-5) and etoposide (75 mg/m(2), days 1-5) every 4 weeks were retrospectively studied.


RESULTS
In an intention-to-treat analysis, overall and complete response rates were 38 and 7%, respectively. Median duration of response was 5 months. Median survival time was 10 months and survival rates at 6, 12 and 24 months were 53, 33 and 24%, respectively. Survival was significantly longer for responders than for non-responders (median: 13 and 3 months, respectively). There were 4 treatment-related deaths among cirrhotics.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-arterial chemotherapy using cisplatin and etoposide seems to have some anti-tumor effect against advanced HCC, although a high rate of life- threatening complications precludes the indication of this regimen at least for patients with non-compensated cirrhosis.
Liver Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Clinica Universitaria, Pamplona, Spain. bsangro@unav.es
Bruno
B
Sangro
Raquel
R
Rios
Ignacio
I
Bilbao
Oscar
O
Beloqui
Jose I
JI
Herrero
Jorge
J
Quiroga
Jesus
J
Prieto
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin