Hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy using a percutaneous catheter in pretreated patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy (HIAC) leads to a higher response rate than systemic administration in untreated patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and safety of giving HIAC through a percutaneous catheter in pre-treated patients.


METHODS
Forty-five CRC patients with liver-only or liver-dominant metastases, resistant or refractory to previous systemic therapy, were treated using a temporary trans-subclavian catheter. A 3-day chemotherapy regimen of daily 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 1000 mg/m2/day + heparin 5000 IU/day given as a 24-hour continuous infusion, and twice daily bolus injections of cisplatin (CDDP) 10 mg/m2 and mitomycin C (MMC) 2 mg/m2, was administered every six weeks.


RESULTS
One hundred and seventeen courses were administered to 45 patients (a median of three per patient: range 1-5). Of the 44 patients evaluable for response, 16 (35%) had a partial response, 15 (33%) stable disease and 12 (26%) progressive disease. Eleven of the 16 responding patients had been refractory to a previous 5-FU-based systemic therapy. The most relevant grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia (22%) and thrombocytopenia (15%). Gastro-duodenal ulcers occurred in nine patients. Catheter displacement was recorded during 22 out of 117 (18%) courses.


CONCLUSIONS
HIAC with 5-FU, CDDP and MMC given through a temporary percutaneous catheter is safe and active in pretreated patients with metastatic CRC. Iatrogenic gastroduodenal ulcers are a serious but manageable complication.
Department of Medicine, European Institute of Oncology, via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy. nicola.fazio@ieo.it
N
N
Fazio
F
F
Orsi
R F
RF
Grasso
G
G
Ferretti
M
M
Medici
A
A
Rocca
G
G
Zampino
G
G
Curigliano
T
T
De Pas
M
M
Colleoni
G
G
Bonomo
E
E
Marrocco
L
L
Lunghi
F
F
De Braud
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage
D016685:Mitomycin; D006493:Heparin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil