5-FU-hydrogel inhibits colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis and tumor growth in mice

Background

Colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis (CRPC) is a common form of systemic metastasis of intra-abdominal cancers. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a preferable option for colorectal cancer. Here we reported that a new system, 5-FU-loaded hydrogel system, can improve the therapeutic effects of intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Methods

A biodegradable PEG-PCL-PEG (PECE) triblock copolymer was successfully synthesized. The biodegradable and temperature sensitive hydrogel was developed to load 5-FU. Methylene blue-loaded hydrogel were also developed for visible observation of the drug release. The effects and toxicity of the 5-FU-hydrogel system were evaluated in a murine CRPC model.

Results

The hydrogel system is an injectable flowing solution at ambient temperature and forms a non-flowing gel depot at physiological temperature. 5-FU-hydrogel was subsequently injected into abdominal cavity in mice with CT26 cancer cells peritoneal dissemination. The results showed that the hydrogel delivery system prolonged the release of methylene blue; the 5-FU-hydrogel significantly inhibited the peritoneal dissemination and growth of CT26 cells. Furthermore, intraperitoneal administration of the 5-FU-hydrogel was well tolerated and showed less hematologic toxicity.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that the 5-FU-hydrogel system can be considered as a new strategy for peritoneal carcinomatosis, and the hydrogel may provide a potential delivery system to load different chemotherapeutic drugs for peritoneal carcinomatosis of cancers.

Surgery for perforated colorectal malignancy in an Asian population: an institution's experience over 5 years

INTRODUCTION

Perforated colorectal malignancy is associated with numerous peri-operative complications and dismal long-term survival. The study aimed to review the outcome and factors predicting peri-operative complications and long-term survival of patients who underwent surgery for perforated colorectal malignancy.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all patients who underwent operative intervention for perforated colorectal malignancy from February 2003 to April 2008 was performed. The severity of peritonitis was graded using the Mannheim peritonitis index (MPI).

RESULTS

Forty-five patients, median age 67 years (36-97 years), formed the study group. Sigmoid colon (37.8%) and cecum (28.9%) were the most common sites of perforation. Sixteen (35.6%) patients had stage IV disease, while 14 (31.1%) had severe peritoneal contamination (MPI >26). Hartmann's procedure and right hemicolectomy were performed most frequently in 17 (37.8%) and 15 (33.4%) patients, respectively. The mortality rate in our series was 17.8%, with another 26.7% requiring surgical intensive care unit care. The independent variables predicting worse perioperative complications were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score >or= 3 and MPI >26. Left-sided perforation was the only independent factor predicting stoma creation. The only factor predicting long-term survival was the stage of malignancy (p<0.001). The overall mean survival time for stage II, III, and IV disease were 63.7, 38.1, and 13.8 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery for perforated colorectal malignancy is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Short-term outcome is determined by ASA score and severity of peritonitis, while long-term outcome is determined by staging of the cancer.

Mucinous adenocarcinomas with intra-abdominal dissemination: a review of current therapy

Peritoneal carcinomatosis has been considered a terminal disease with a median survival time of 5.2-12.6 months. Systemic chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery (CRS) have long been used to treat macroscopic disease, with limited success. However, a comprehensive treatment approach involving cytroreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has evolved into a novel approach for peritoneal carcinomatosis. Surgery removes the primary cancer and any dissemination within the peritoneal cavity and adjuvant HIPEC eradicates macroscopic or microscopic tumor residue, thus reducing the risk for recurrence. This approach offers a new potential treatment option for patients with metastatic disease confined to the peritoneum. The present review provides an update of the most recent data on the current therapy for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) and mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma (MCA) with metastatic disease confined to the peritoneum.

Predictors of survival in patients with non-curative stage IV cancer and malignant bowel obstruction

PURPOSE

Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) occurs in up to 15% of patients admitted to palliative care wards and management can be clinically challenging. Survival is generally poor with a reported median survival of 1-3 months; however, there are no studies describing predictors of survival for patients with MBO.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with a MBO were approached between March 1, 2006 and March 31, 2008 to enter the study. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiographic information were prospectively collected from patient charts and the patient's functional status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, ECOG) at admission was recorded. Follow-up was until death or the end of the study (August 2008). Survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox regression models were used to evaluate prognostic factors for survival.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients were recruited. Median patient age was 61% and 46% were female. Median survival of the cohort was 80 days (range 7-873). Median survival for patients with an ECOG performance status of 0-1 (n = 15) was 222 days, for ECOG 2 patients (n = 9), 63 days and for patients with an ECOG 3/4 score (n = 11) it was 27 days. ECOG status was the strongest predictor of survival on the multivariate analysis. In addition, a low blood urea nitrogen level or a high albumin on admission was also associated with prolonged survival.

CONCLUSION

An ECOG score of 0/1 for patients with MBO in the setting of Stage IV non-curative cancer is the strongest predictor of overall survival.

In vivo toxicity and bioavailability of Taxol and a paclitaxel/beta-cyclodextrin formulation in a rat model during HIPEC

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) remains a dreaded clinical syndrome and a common evolution of gastrointestinal and ovarian cancers. In recent years, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after cytoreductive surgery has emerged as a promising strategy in the management of PC. In this study, a novel paclitaxel (Pac) formulation was investigated for its toxicity and bioavailability during HIPEC compared with Taxol.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) after HIPEC of both formulations (Taxol and Pac/RAME-beta-CD) was determined. MTD was defined as the highest nonlethal dose with a reduction in body weight of < or = 10% over 2 weeks. Blood parameters (red blood cell and white blood cell count, creatinine, ALT, and GGT) were evaluated over 20 days. Bioavailability of both Pac formulations after HIPEC was determined under normothermic (37 degrees C) and hyperthermic (41 degrees C) conditions for 90 min.

RESULTS

Following HIPEC, both formulations had a similar MTD: 0.24 mg paclitaxel per ml. Red blood cell count decreased to a minimum after 10 days and was not fully recovered after 20 days for both formulations. White blood cell monitoring showed a significant increase in neutrocytes at day 10 and 15 for the Pac/RAME-beta-CD formulation. Liver and kidney parameters did not change significantly. Bioavailability data of Pac/RAME-beta-CD showed a 40-fold increase of the area under the curve (AUC) of plasma concentrations compared with Taxol. Hyperthermia yielded no significant differences in bioavailability data.

CONCLUSION

These results showed that both formulations had a similar toxicity profile but differed significantly in bioavailability.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis from gastric cancer: a multi-institutional study of 159 patients treated by cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from gastric cancer has long been regarded a terminal disease with a short median survival. New locoregional therapeutic approaches combining cytoreductive surgery with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) have evolved and suggest improved survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective multicentric study was performed in French-speaking centers to evaluate the toxicity and the principal prognostic factors in order to identify the best indications. All patients had cytoreductive surgery and PIC: hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and/or early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC).

RESULTS

The study included 159 patients from 15 institutions between February 1989 and August 2007. The median follow-up was 20.4 months. HIPEC was the PIC used for 150 procedures. Postoperative mortality and grade 3-4 morbidity rates were 6.5 and 27.8%, respectively. By multivariate analysis, the institution had a significant influence on toxicity. The overall median survival was 9.2 months and 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 43, 18, and 13%, respectively. The only independent prognostic indicator by multivariate analysis was the completeness of cytoreductive surgery. For patients treated by complete cytoreductive surgery, the median survival was 15 months with a 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate of 61, 30, and 23%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The therapeutic approach combining cytoreductive surgery with PIC for patients with gastric carcinomatosis may achieve long-term survival in a selected group of patients (limited and resectable PC). The high mortality rate underlines this necessarily strict selection that should be reserved to experienced institutions involved in the management of PC and gastric surgery.

Exploring the peritoneal surface malignancy phenotype--a pilot immunohistochemical study of human pseudomyxoma peritonei and derived animal models

Peritoneal surface malignancies are characterized by the propensity for tumor growth on peritoneal surfaces without development of extraperitoneal metastases, but the molecular basis for this phenomenon is incompletely understood. Five human tumors and corresponding orthotopic animal models of human pseudomyxoma peritonei and peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis from colorectal carcinoma were extensively characterized by immunohistochemical analysis of molecular markers of tissue differentiation (carcinoembryonal antigen, CK20, CK7, and vimentin), proliferation and metastasis (Ki-67, vascular endothelial growth factor, and S100A4), mucins (MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC), and adhesion molecules (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, P-cadherin, claudin 1, claudin 3, and claudin 4). Macro- and microscopic growth patterns of implanted human tissues were preserved through passages in the animals, as were with few exception immunohistochemical staining profiles, supporting the relevance of the models as tools for studying the human disease. Tissue differentiation marker expression was in accordance with previously published results and high Ki-67 score confirmed high proliferative capacity, whereas absence of metastatic capacity was supported by low expression levels of the studied metastasis markers. These mucinous tumors expressed high levels of MUC2 and MUC4, whereas MUC1 was not expressed and MUC5AC expression was variable. Similarly, specific adhesion molecules from the cadherin and claudin families were shown to be of relevance in the investigated samples. The results indicate that mucinous peritoneal surface malignancies of intestinal origin are characterized by the presence of specific molecular markers and represent a step toward understanding the complexity of this intriguing phenotypic entity.

A clinicopathologic analysis of peritoneal metastases of colorectal and appendiceal origin

OBJECTIVE

To predict clinical outcome by classification of peritoneal metastases (PM) of colorectal or appendiceal origin.

BACKGROUND

This study investigates whether standardized histological classification can predict outcome for PM of colorectal or appendiceal origin treated with cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

METHODS

Histology of PM (n = 269) was evaluated by analysis of mitotic activity, atypia, cellularity, and mucinous component. For overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) Cox proportional-hazard models were constructed. Covariates included tumor, patient, and treatment characteristics.

RESULTS

PM could be categorized into four groups: low-grade, well-differentiated mucinous tumor (DPAM); intermediated-grade mucinous carcinoma (PMCA-i); high-grade mucinous carcinoma (PMCA); and high-grade nonmucinous carcinoma (PCA). Multivariate analysis showed that histological classification, gender, number of segments affected, completeness of cytoreduction, and HIPEC as primary treatment were significant related to OS and DFS. The 5-year OS was 64% in the DPAM group, 36% in the PMCA group, and 24% in the PCA group. Of PM originating from an appendix tumor, 29% were of non-DPAM type. Of primary colorectal tumors, 37% resulted in mucinous PM, and another 26% of PM of colorectal origin had partly mucinous histology.

CONCLUSION

Histology is a significant predictive factor of OS and DFS in PM treated with surgical cytoreduction and HIPEC. Low-grade PM (DPAM) should be regarded as a separate entity because of its clearly different clinical course. High-grade mucinous PM has significant better prognosis than nonmucinous PM and should thus be distinguished.

Oxaliplatin, irinotecan and capecitabine as first-line therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): a dose-finding study and pharmacogenomic analysis

Background:

A dose-finding study was performed to evaluate the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended dose (RD) of escalating the doses of capecitabine and fixed doses of irinotecan and oxaliplatin on a biweekly schedule for metastatic colorectal cancer patients (mCRC). A pharmacogenomic analysis was performed to investigate the association between SNPs and treatment outcome.

Methods:

Eighty-seven chemotherapy-naïve mCRC patients were recruited through a two-step study design; 27 were included in the dose-finding study and 60 in the pharmacogenomic analysis. Oxaliplatin (85 mg m^-2) and CPT-11 (150 mg m^-2), both on day 1, and capecitabine doses ranging from 850 to 1500 mg m^-2 bid on days 1–7 were explored. Peripheral blood samples were used to genotype 13 SNPs in 10 genes related to drug metabolism or efficacy. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis was performed to examine associations between SNPs, ORR and PFS.

Results:

The capecitabine RD was 1000 mg m⁻² bid. Diarrhoea and neutropenia were the DLTs. After a median follow-up of 52.5 months, the median PFS and OS were 12 (95% CI; 10.6–13.4) and 27 months (95% CI; 17.2–36.8), respectively.

The GSTP1-G genotype, the Köhne low-risk category and use of a consolidation approach strongly correlated with decreased risk of progression. Patients with all favourable variables showed a median PFS of 42 months vs 3.4 months in the group with all adverse factors. A superior clinical response was obtained in patients with one GSTP1-G allele as compared with GSTP1-AA carriers (P=0.004).

Conclusion:

First-line therapy with oxaliplatin, irinotecan and capecitabine is efficient and well-tolerated. The GSTP1 polymorphism A>G status was significantly associated with ORR and PFS in mCRC treated with this triplet therapy.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastrointestinal origin: natural history and treatment options

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a challenging consequence of certain malignancies, associated with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Generally, PC has been treated similarly to metastatic cancers of the primary tumor, but associated with worse outcomes when compared to other sites of metastatic disease from the same primary tumor site. With supportive care alone, the median survival with PC is 3-6 months. More recently, a limited number of centers have reported success with cytoreductive surgery (CS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in a subset of patients with PC, resulting in improved survival compared with historical controls.

OBJECTIVES

This paper outlines the natural history of PC, and surgical, chemotherapeutic, and combined modality treatment options, with a focus on PC of colorectal (CRC) and appendiceal origin.

RESULTS

At this time, the 'standard' treatment for PC remains incompletely defined. As such, the optimal management strategies for both 'localized' and unresectable disease is unclear. CS + HIPEC is a promising treatment with a significant survival benefit of 10 months over systemic therapy alone demonstrated in a clinical trial of patients with CRC.

CONCLUSION

Well-designed clinical trials need to continue to be offered to improve care and determine the optimal treatment strategies for PC.

Multidisciplinary therapy for treatment of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from gastric cancer

There is no standard treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from gastric cancer. A novel multidisciplinary treatment combining bidirectional chemotherapy [neoadjuvant intraperitoneal-systemic chemotherapy protocol (NIPS)], peritonectomy, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been developed. In this article, we assess the indications, safety and efficacy of this treatment, review the relevant studies and introduce our experiences. The aims of NIPS are stage reduction, the eradication of peritoneal free cancer cells, and an increased incidence of complete cytoreduction (CC-0) for PC. A complete response after NIPS was obtained in 15 (50%) out of 30 patients with PC. Thus, a significantly high incidence of CC-0 can be obtained in patients with a peritoneal cancer index (PCI) ≤ 6. Using a multivariate analysis to examine the survival benefit, CC-0 and NIPS are identified as significant indicators of a good outcome. However, the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with peritonectomy and perioperative chemotherapy make stringent patient selection important. The best indications for multidisciplinary therapy are localized PC (PCI ≤ 6) from resectable gastric cancer that can be completely removed during a peritonectomy. NIPS and complete cytoreduction are essential treatment modalities for improving the survival of patients with PC from gastric cancer.

Multidisciplinary therapy for treatment of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from gastric cancer

There is no standard treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from gastric cancer. A novel multidisciplinary treatment combining bidirectional chemotherapy [neoadjuvant intraperitoneal-systemic chemotherapy protocol (NIPS)], peritonectomy, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been developed. In this article, we assess the indications, safety and efficacy of this treatment, review the relevant studies and introduce our experiences. The aims of NIPS are stage reduction, the eradication of peritoneal free cancer cells, and an increased incidence of complete cytoreduction (CC-0) for PC. A complete response after NIPS was obtained in 15 (50%) out of 30 patients with PC. Thus, a significantly high incidence of CC-0 can be obtained in patients with a peritoneal cancer index (PCI) ≤ 6. Using a multivariate analysis to examine the survival benefit, CC-0 and NIPS are identified as significant indicators of a good outcome. However, the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with peritonectomy and perioperative chemotherapy make stringent patient selection important. The best indications for multidisciplinary therapy are localized PC (PCI ≤ 6) from resectable gastric cancer that can be completely removed during a peritonectomy. NIPS and complete cytoreduction are essential treatment modalities for improving the survival of patients with PC from gastric cancer.

Which method to deliver hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with oxaliplatin? An experimental comparison of open and closed techniques

BACKGROUND

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) achieves good results in selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. There are two main procedures to deliver this therapy: the open abdomen and the closed abdomen techniques. A true comparison of the two techniques has never been performed. The aim of this study was to compare blood and abdominal tissue concentrations of oxaliplatin after open and closed techniques to deliver HIPEC.

METHODS

Nine pigs underwent HIPEC at 42-43 degrees C for 30 min with oxaliplatin (400 mg/m(2)) according to two techniques: closed (three animals) or open (six animals). The open technique used either an external heater with a pump (three animals) or an intra-abdominal heating cable (three animals) to achieve hyperthermia. Temperature homogeneity, systemic absorption, and abdominal tissue mapping of the penetration of oxaliplatin with each technique were studied. Two additional pigs underwent hyperthermia with dyes instead of oxaliplatin to depict the distribution of the liquid within the abdomen with both techniques.

RESULTS

Hyperthermia was satisfactory with both techniques. The closed technique achieved higher temperatures within the diaphragmatic area, while the open technique obtained higher temperatures in the mid and lower abdomen (P < 0.001 for both comparisons). The systemic absorption of oxaliplatin was higher with the open technique (P < 0.04 for all comparisons), as was the accumulation within the abdominal cavity. The operating time for the two techniques was not greatly different.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraperitoneal hyperthermia can be achieved with both techniques. The open technique had far higher systemic absorption and abdominal tissue penetration of oxaliplatin than the closed technique.

Selection of patients and staging of peritoneal surface malignancies

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a common evolution of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, and has been traditionally regarded as a terminal disease with short median survival. During the last 20 years, thanks to its favourable oncologic results, a new loco-regional therapeutic approach, combining cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), has an important development. Due to its significant, but acceptable, morbidity and mortality, and high cost, this comprehensive management plan requires knowledgeable patient selection. Quantitative prognostic indicators are required to assess a patient’s eligibility. Large multicenter studies have identified several prognostic factors, which can be used for a better selection of patients who would benefit from the combination of cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC. Indications for treatment of PC with cytoreduction and HIPEC are now validated for several diseases: peritoneal mesothelioma, pseudomyxoma peritonei, PC from the appendix, and colorectal cancer. Indications are still under discussion for gastric and ovarian carcinomatosis. Computed tomography is the best radiological for staging the disease. The extent of peritoneal carcinomatosis is, however, difficult to evaluate preoperatively, and precise evaluation is most often performed during surgical exploration. Cytoreductive surgery associated with HIPEC for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis should be performed for young patients with limited and resectable carcinomatosis, in specialized institutions involved in the management of peritoneal surface malignancies.

Comparison of optimally resected hepatectomy and peritonectomy patients with colorectal cancer metastasis

BACKGROUND

Hepatectomy is the standard of care for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) but cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) are still not widely accepted as the definitive treatment for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin (CRPC). We analyzed our data to compare survival outcomes for patients in these two groups who achieved optimal resection.

METHODS

We examined our prospectively collected database for CRLM and CRPC patients who underwent hepatectomy or peritonectomy from 1995 to 2008.

RESULTS

We identified 46 CRPC patients who achieved CCR-0/CCR-1 and 237 CRLM patients had a margin-negative hepatectomy. CRS patients had 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rates of 83.6%, 65.4%, 51.4%, and 32.1%, respectively. Comparatively, CRLM patients had 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rates of 88.1%, 69.4%, 51.9%, and 33.3%, respectively. Median survival for the two groups were 37.0 months (1-72) for CRPC patients and 37.0 months (0-120) for CRLM patients. There was no statistical significance in overall survival (P = 0.792).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference in survival outcomes for CRLM and CRPC patients who achieved optimal resection. Selected CRPC patients with potentially resectable disease should be considered for CRS and PIC.

Intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy: an evolving paradigm for the treatment of peritoneal surface malignancies

Unfortunately, advanced colorectal cancer is often present at the time the disease is diagnosed. Many intra-abdominal malignancies spread throughout the peritoneal cavity, which is known as carcinomatosis. Peritoneal carcinomatosis is uniformly a terminal disease with a median survival of 6 months. Systemic chemotherapy is palliative and generally provides limited improvement in survival. Conventional surgery has typically been limited to ileostomy, colostomy or intestinal bypass procedures. Cytoreductive surgery alone has long been used to treat macroscopic disease, with limited success. However, cytoreductive surgery combined with intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC) has evolved into a novel approach for peritoneal surface malignancy. IPHC was initially described in a canine model by Spratt. Although the first clinical series of peritoneal perfusion were small, Japanese trials, which utilized IPHC for prophylaxis in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, Fujimoto was the first to report an improvement in survival for established gastric cracinomatosis. This early work provided the proof-of-principle for what has evolved into current management with aggressive cytoreduction and IPHC. The present review will outline the rationale, current practice and future directions of IPHC in the management of peritoneal surface malignancies.

Combined laparoscopic cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in a patient with peritoneal mesothelioma

The role of minimally invasive, laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been reported by several centers around the world, mainly to palliate intractable ascites in patients with extensive peritoneal surface malignancies who are not candidates for a complete cytoreduction. In this paper, we report on the first case of combined laparoscopic cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC with curative intent in a patient with limited peritoneal mesothelioma.

Liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer in the presence of extrahepatic disease

Early studies of liver resection for colorectal cancer metastases identified patients with concomitant extrahepatic disease as a group with poor outcomes. These studies concluded that the presence of extrahepatic disease should be a contraindication to resection. This contraindication has more recently been challenged. In this paper, we review the published work on metastatic colorectal cancer, pertaining to the role of surgery in patients with liver metastases and concomitant extrahepatic disease. 5-year survival after resection is worse in patients with extrahepatic disease than in patients with liver-only disease, but is similar to that seen in patients who underwent resection in the era before the use of modern chemotherapy. Recurrence occurs in most patients. There is a role for surgery in highly selected patients with single sites of extrahepatic disease, although expectations should be different than those of patients with liver-only metastases. Further studies are necessary to define the patient group best suited for resection of hepatic metastases with extrahepatic disease.

Technology of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and Korea

Significant improvements in the understanding of the biologic behavior of peritoneal surface malignancies in addition to the combination of peritonectomy procedures that allow complete eradication of macroscopic peritoneal disease and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) at the time of surgery, directed at residual microscopic disease, have change the therapeutic strategy from a palliative approach to a curative intent in a selected group of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.The rationale for adding HIPEC is supported by the strong pharmacological advantage over systemic therapy. Because of the peritoneal-plasma barrier, intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy results in intraperitoneal levels that are 20 to 1000 times higher than plasma levels. The chemotherapy not only directly destroys tumor cells, but also eliminates viable platelets, neutrophils, and monocytes from the peritoneal cavity. This diminishes the promotion of tumor growth associated with the wound healing process. In addition, combining the intraperitoneal chemotherapy with hyperthermia has several advantages. Heat by itself has more toxicity for cancerous tissue than for normal tissue, and this predominant effect on cancer increases as the vascularity of the malignancy decreases. Also, hyperthermia increases the penetration of chemotherapy into tissues. As tissues soften in response to heat, the elevated interstitial pressure of a tumor mass may decrease and allow improved drug penetration. Lastly, and probably most important, heat increases the cytotoxicity of selected chemotherapy agents. This synergism occurs only at the interface of heat and body tissue at the peritoneal surface.However, despite the wider acceptance to combine extensive cytoreductive surgery with intraoperative intraperitoneal heated chemotherapy, the specifics of the HIPEC administration continue to lack uniformity. The most recent consensus statement issued by the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International after the 2006 meeting in Milan concluded that the debate on the best method to deliver HIPEC is still open, and as a group, we declared that there is no sufficient evidence in the literature confirming the superiority of one technique over the other in terms of outcome, morbidity, and safety to the personnel in the operating room.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of perioperative cancer chemotherapy in peritoneal surface malignancy

The peritoneal surface remains an important failure site for patients with gastrointestinal and gynecologic malignancies. During the last 2 decades, novel therapeutic approaches, combining cytoreductive surgery with intraoperative intracavitary and intravenous chemotherapy, have emerged for peritoneal carcinomatosis patients. This has resulted in remarkable clinical successes in contrast with prior failures. Although further clinical data from phase II and III trials supporting this combined treatment protocols are necessary, an optimalization of the wide variety of different perioperative cancer chemotherapy protocols used in these treatment regimens is equally important. To this date, a clear understanding of the pharmacology of perioperative chemotherapy is still lacking. The efficacy of intraperitoneal cancer chemotherapy protocols is governed as much by nonpharmacokinetic variables (tumor nodule size, density, vascularity, interstitial fluid pressure, and binding) as by the pharmacokinetic variables (dose, volume, duration, pressure, and carrier solution). Our recent data support the importance of the tumor nodule as the most meaningful pharmacologic end point. Timing of perioperative intravenous chemotherapy may substantially influence the pharmacokinetics. This review aims to clarify the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data currently available regarding the intraperitoneal delivery of cancer chemotherapy agents in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

The second procedure combining complete cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for isolated peritoneal recurrence: postoperative course and long-term outcome

BACKGROUND

Complete cytoreductive surgery (CCRS) with intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) is becoming the gold-standard treatment for resectable peritoneal carcinomatosis, when feasible. However, this approach has not yet been evaluated for isolated peritoneal re-recurrences after previous IPC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative course and long-term outcome after repeat (re-)CCRS + IPC.

METHODS

From 1996 to 2007, 25 re-CCRS + IPC were performed in 20 patients with isolated peritoneal re-recurrences, among 393 CCRS + IPC performed during the same period in the department. Selection was based on the supposedly limited extent of the peritoneal disease and an interval of more than 12 months between the first CCRS + IPC procedure and recurrence. After a re-CCRS, we used re-IPC modalities (method and/or drug) that were systematically different from those of the first IPC. The origins of the tumors were pseudomyxoma (n = 12), colorectal cancer (n = 4), mesothelioma (n = 3), and carcinoid tumor (n = 1).

RESULTS

At laparotomy, mean peritoneal index was 7.6 +/- 4.8. Among the 25 procedures, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy was used in 15 cases and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy in 10 cases. The postoperative mortality rate was 4% (n = 1) and six grade 3-4 postoperative complications occurred. The overall 5- and 10-year actuarial survival rates were 72.5% and 58%, respectively. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 19%. The long-term outcome was not different, whatever the type of primary tumor.

CONCLUSION

Re-CCRS + IPC is feasible and yields prolonged survival in highly selected patients. Also, the switch to another type of IPC or regimen may have contributed to this prolonged survival.

The role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in ovarian cancer

Overall outcomes for women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remain relatively poor, and superior methods of treatment are needed. EOC is a peritoneal surface malignancy that is relatively sensitive to chemotherapy agents, making it a good target for i.p. chemotherapy. Because there is strong laboratory data demonstrating the ability of hyperthermia to increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents, the addition of hyperthermia to i.p. chemotherapy, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), makes theoretical sense. This article reviews the current literature and discusses the possible role for HIPEC in EOC at significant natural history time points: front line, at the time of interval debulking, in consolidation, and for recurrent disease. The conclusion is that much further research is needed but that HIPEC could sensibly be researched at all the natural history time points in EOC.

Phase II study of regional treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy is becoming an accepted treatment of carcinomatosis.

METHODS

Between February 2000 and January 2008, there were 101 consecutive patients with carcinomatosis who were treated with cytoreductive surgery + hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Patient and tumor characteristics, surgical details, complications, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were recorded prospectively.

RESULTS

The majority (82%) of patients, median age 49 years (range, 18-77 y), had complete macroscopic cytoreduction (completeness of cytoreduction score, 0) despite a generally extensive tumor burden. Perioperative mortality and grade III/IV morbidity rates were 4% and 39%, respectively. Preliminary median DFS and OS have not been defined for appendix tumors at a median follow-up period of 16 months (range, 1-86 mo). Median DFS and OS for colonic tumors are 8 months and 26 months, respectively, with a median follow-up period of 12 months (range, 1-48 mo).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined regional treatment is feasible and holds significant promise for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Safety of gastric resections during cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) including gastric resection combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can improve the prognosis of selected patients with peritoneal surface malignancies. Perioperative morbidity of this aggressive treatment strategy is high; however, overall mortality can be low in specialized centers. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of gastric resections with anastomosis during CRS and HIPEC.

METHODS

Between 2005 and 2008, 204 patients underwent CRS and HIPEC at our tertiary referral centre. Of these, 37 procedures (male/female 24/13, median age 55 years) included gastric resections. The clinical data of all patients were introduced into a database and analyzed with respect to the morbidity associated with the gastric resections.

RESULTS

Of all patients included, 16 had pseudomyxoma peritonei, 11 gastric carcinoma, 4 ovarian carcinoma, 3 malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, and 3 colon carcinoma. Twenty-seven patients had previous surgery (n = 22) and/or systemic chemotherapy (n = 18). Fifteen total gastrectomies, 3 subtotal gastrectomies, 12 distal gastrectomies, and 7 gastric wedge resections were performed during CRS. The overall postoperative morbidity was 45%; main surgical complications were pancreatitis (n = 6), abdominal abscess (n = 4), bile leakage (n = 2), and digestive fistula (leakage of ileorectostomy and small bowel perforation) (n = 2). However, no complications occurred at the site of the esophageal anastomosis (n = 15), gastric anastomosis (n = 15) or gastric suture (n = 7). No patient died postoperatively during the hospitalization period.

CONCLUSIONS

CRS in combination with HIPEC is associated with high postoperative morbidity; however, anastomosis following total or subtotal gastrectomy is safe in experienced centers. No leakages related to gastric resections occurred in this high-risk patient group.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis: patients selection, perioperative complications and quality of life related to cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Background

Peritoneal tumor dissemination arising from colorectal cancer, appendiceal cancer, gastric cancer, gynecologic malignancies or peritoneal mesothelioma is a common sign of advanced tumor stage or disease recurrence and mostly associated with poor prognosis.

Methods and results

In the present review article preoperative workup, surgical technique, postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, oncological outcome and quality of life after CRS and HIPEC are reported regarding the different tumor entities.

Conclusion

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) provide a promising combined treatment strategy for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis that can improve patient survival and quality of life. The extent of intraperitoneal tumor dissemination and the completeness of cytoreduction are the leading predictors of postoperative patient outcome. Thus, consistent preoperative diagnostics and patient selection are crucial to obtain a complete macroscopic cytoreduction (CCR-0/1).

Current status and future directions: management of colon cancer with peritoneal dissemination

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and although it carries a favorable prognosis when detected at early stages, it is associated with limited survival when metastatic disease is present. Modern systemic therapy has improved median survival in those patients with hematogenous dissemination, but the role of these newer combinations of cytotoxic chemotherapy and biological agents remains undefined in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy have resulted in long-term good outcomes for patients whose carcinomatosis can be completely removed, but offers no advantage over supportive care for those patients with incomplete tumor removal. At the present time, we lack proven therapeutic strategies on how to treat a patient newly diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin. A large Phase III multi-institutional trial is being developed to address these issues, and will need full collaboration between medical and surgical oncologists.

Peritoneal surface disease from colorectal cancer: comparison with the hepatic metastases surgical paradigm in optimally resected patients

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for colorectal hepatic metastases (HM). In contrast, metastatic disease to the peritoneum is treated with systemic therapy. We examined our experience with cytoreductive surgery (CS) and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC) for peritoneal surface disease (PSD) compared with liver resection for HM.

METHODS

A review of prospective databases of colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery for metastatic disease to the peritoneum or liver (1992-2005) was carried out.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-one patients underwent CS + IPHC and 101 patients underwent hepatic resection with median follow-up of 86 and 56 months, respectively. Fifty-five (45%) patients in the IPHC group had complete resection of all gross tumor. Ninety-five (94%) of the HM patients had negative surgical margins. Comparison of the R0/R1 PSD and margin-negative HM group demonstrated significant differences in age, performance status, and preoperative chemotherapy. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival for the R0/R1 PSD patients was 91, 48, and 26%; while it was 87, 59, and 34% for the HM patients (P = 0.32). Perioperative morbidity was 42% versus 34% (P = 0.38) and mortality was 5.5% versus 4.2% (P = 0.71) between the PSD and HM patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

R0/R1 resection during CS + IPHC compared with margin-negative hepatic resection demonstrated no significant difference in overall survival and for select patients should be considered a viable treatment option. Further studies to improve the resectability of PSD patients and define the role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant drug strategies are needed.

8-year follow-up of randomized trial: cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy versus systemic chemotherapy in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis is based on cytoreduction followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and combined with adjuvant chemotherapy. In 2003, a randomized trial was finished comparing systemic chemotherapy alone with cytoreduction followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy. This trial showed a positive result favoring the studied treatment. This trial has now been updated to a minimal follow-up of 6 years to show long-term results.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

For all patients still alive, the follow-up was updated until 2007. In the original study, four patients were excluded-two because of no eligible histology/pathology and two because of major protocol violations. After randomization, four patients in the HIPEC arm and six in the control arm were not treated using the intended therapy, one patient because of withdrawal, one because of a life-threatening other malignant disease and the others because of progressive disease before initiation of the treatment. During the follow-up, one patient was crossed over from the control arm and underwent cytoreduction and HIPEC for recurrent disease, after the assigned treatment was completed. The data from these patients were censored at the moment of the cross-over. Progression-free and disease-specific survival were analyzed using the Kaplan Meyer test and compared using the log rank method. The long-term results were studied in more detail to evaluate efficacy and toxicity.

RESULTS

At the time of this update, the median follow-up was almost 8 years (range 72-115 months). In the standard arm, 4 patients were still alive, 2 with and 2 without disease; in the "HIPEC' arm, 5 patients were still alive, 2 with and 3 without disease. The median progression-free survival was 7.7 months in the control arm and 12.6 months in the HIPEC arm (P = 0.020). The median disease-specific survival was 12.6 months in the control arm and 22.2 months in the HIPEC arm (P = 0.028). The 5-year survival was 45% for those patients in whom a R1 resection was achieved.

CONCLUSION

With 90% of all events having taken place up to this time, this randomized trial shows that cytoreduction followed by HIPEC does significantly add survival time to patients affected by peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin. For a selected group, there is a possibility of long-term survival.