Analysis of factors associated with outcome in patients undergoing isolated hepatic perfusion for unresectable liver metastases from colorectal center.
OBJECTIVE
To define the indications for hyperthermic isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) in patients with unresectable liver metastases (LM) from colorectal cancer (CRC) with particular focus on IHP's utility as a second-line option for patients whose tumors have progressed following combination systemic chemotherapy treatment.


METHODS
From June 1994 through July 2005, 120 patients with unresectable CRC LM underwent IHP with melphalan (n = 69), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (n = 10) or both (n = 41). Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) with floxuridine started 6-8 weeks post IHP in 46 (38%). Patients were followed for toxicity, radiographic response, and overall survival (OS). Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare parameters by response category; survival and hepatic progression-free survival were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method.


RESULTS
Of 79 males and 41 females, 96 (80%) received prior chemotherapy. There were five (4%) operative/treatment mortalities. There were 69 responses in 114 evaluable patients (61%). Total melphalan dose and combination melphalan/TNF were each associated with response; age, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), prior chemotherapy for established LM, tumor burden, and post-IHP HAI therapy were not. Median overall survival was 17.4 months and 2-year survival was 34%. Factors found to be independently related to survival were preoperative CEA <30 ng/mL and use of post-IHP HAI (P < 0.015).


CONCLUSIONS
IHP results in marked tumor regression and prolonged survival in patients with CRC LM. Continued development of IHP in this clinical setting is warranted.
Department of Surgery, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. HRAlexander@smail.umaryland.edu
H Richard
HR
Alexander
David L
DL
Bartlett
Steven K
SK
Libutti
James F
JF
Pingpank
Douglas L
DL
Fraker
Richard
R
Royal
Seth M
SM
Steinberg
Cynthia B
CB
Helsabeck
Tatiana H
TH
Beresneva
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents