[Combination of hepatic arterial infusion therapy and FOLFOX for colorectal cancer with multiple unresectable liver metastases causing severe liver dysfunction].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of hepatic arterial infusion therapy and FOLFOX for colorectal cancer with multiple unresectable liver metastases causing severe liver dysfunction.

Subjects And Methods: The subjects were 13 colorectal cancer patients who had undergone resection of the primary tumor, and showed multiple, unresectable liver metastases and severe liver dysfunction. They consisted of 8 men and 5 women, with a median age of 63(29-77)years. Of these patients, 7 and 6 had colon and rectum cancers, respectively. They had an average of 8(3-22)liver metastases of 4.6(1.5-14.5)cm in diameter. During surgery, extrahepatic lesions were found in 3 patients(P in 2, and CY in 1). The preoperative serum LDH and ALP levels were high, at 1,099 (322-1,418)and 1,011(644-2,384), respectively. The follow-up period was approximately 500(248-928)days. Only 5-FU in FOLFOX4 or 6 m therapy was infused into the hepatic artery, and LV and L-OHP were injected into the central venous port about every two weeks. Response rates and adverse events were evaluated according to the RECIST criteria and CTCAE ver 3.0, respectively.

Results: The therapy was performed 14(6-22)times, with a response rate of 84.6% for liver metastases, facilitating hepatectomy in 1 patient. The overall response rate was 61.5%, with 1 patient dying of the primary cancer on the 265th day. Grade 3 adverse events were neutropenia and anorexia in only 1 patient each, and no adverse events were specific to hepatic arterial infusion.

Conclusion: Since the follow-up period after this therapy was still short, only 13 patients have received the therapy. However, it appears that it can be performed relatively safely, and is effective for the control of extrahepatic lesions as well. Therefore, this therapy provides good control, and can be a treatment option.