Hepatic artery administration of docetaxel in liver metastases from breast carcinoma: a feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
Taxanes are largely metabolized and almost exclusively excreted in the feces by the liver through the biliary pathway, thus providing a rationale for investigating the activity of their hepatic artery delivery in case of liver metastases.


METHODS
The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of administering docetaxel via the hepatic artery in advanced breast cancer patients in whom the liver was the only or the predominant site of metastatic involvement. The dose was increased cycle by cycle in a prospective manner.


RESULTS
Ten eligible patients were enrolled. The median administered dose in the last cycle was 65 mg/m2 (range, 40-100 mg/m2). The treatment was generally well tolerated, and only one patient stopped after two cycles because of toxicity. Four of the 9 eligible patients with assessable liver tumors achieved an objective response. After a median follow-up of 41 months, 4 of the 10 eligible (and 11 treated) patients were alive with a median overall survival of 46 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of docetaxel via the hepatic artery is feasible. The highly interesting response and survival results observed in this limited series of patients warrant further studies.
Cocconi
Giorgio
G
Medical Oncology Division, Azienda Ospedaliera, Parma, Italy. giorgio.cocconi@tin.it
Gamboni
Alessandro
A
Gasparro
Donatello
D
Leonardi
Francesco
F
Salvagni
Stefania
S
Vasini
Giovanna
G
Larini
Pietro
P
Marcato
Carla
C
Camisa
Roberta
R
Cascinu
Stefano
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed
D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel