Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer: a concise overview.
Patients with colorectal cancer commonly succumb to the sequelae of hepatic metastases. Response to systemic therapy is inadequate. Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) exposes liver metastases to high local concentrations of drug. Herein, we review the randomized trials of HAI in colorectal cancer. Data for this review were identified by searches of MEDLINE and references from relevant articles using the search terms "infusion intra-arterial" and "colorectal cancer." Abstracts and reports from meetings were included only when they related directly to previously published work. Only papers published in English between 1966 and 2003 were included. Randomized trials (5-fluorouracil- (5-FU-) or fluordeoxyuridine- (FUDR-) based regimens) often demonstrated superior response rates for HAI as compared to systemic chemotherapy (primary treatment or post-resection). Enhanced survival has, however, shown only when HAI was combined with systemic chemotherapy in the post-resection setting. For 5-FU-based and perhaps other regimens, randomized trials of combined regional and systemic therapy versus systemic treatment alone may be needed in order to determine whether or not there is a survival advantage after HAI in unresectable patients, as has been recently demonstrated in resectable patients. A variety of agents other than 5-FU have also been given by HAI to patients with liver metastases from diverse cancers. Such regional therapy often yields encouraging response rates and impact on survival therefore merits investigation.
Barber
Fedricker D
FD
Department of Bioimmunotherapy, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 422, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Mavligit
Giora
G
Kurzrock
Razelle
R
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005467:Floxuridine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005467:Floxuridine; D005472:Fluorouracil