Phase II study of hepatic intraarterial epirubicin and cisplatin, with systemic 5-fluorouracil in patients with unresectable biliary tract tumors

The Recent Trends of Systemic Treatments and Locoregional Therapies for Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a hepatic malignancy that has a rapidly increasing incidence. CCA is anatomically classified into intrahepatic (iCCA) and extrahepatic (eCCA), which is further divided into perihilar (pCCA) and distal (dCCA) subtypes, with higher incidence rates in Asia. Despite its rarity, CCA has a low 5-year survival rate and remains the leading cause of primary liver tumor-related death over the past 10-20 years. The systemic therapy section discusses gemcitabine-based regimens as primary treatments, along with oxaliplatin-based options. Second-line therapy is limited but may include short-term infusional fluorouracil (FU) plus leucovorin (LV) and oxaliplatin. The adjuvant therapy section discusses approaches to improve overall survival (OS) post-surgery. However, only a minority of CCA patients qualify for surgical resection. In comparison to adjuvant therapies, neoadjuvant therapy for unresectable cases shows promise. Gemcitabine and cisplatin indicate potential benefits for patients awaiting liver transplantation. The addition of immunotherapies to chemotherapy in combination is discussed. Nivolumab and innovative approaches like CAR-T cells, TRBAs, and oncolytic viruses are explored. We aim in this review to provide a comprehensive report on the systemic and locoregional therapies for CCA.

Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies that originates at any point along the biliary tree. CC is an uncommon malignancy as it represents approximately 3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies, though its global incidence is rising. CC can often be asymptomatic in its early stages and as a result, it is frequently diagnosed in later stages, leading to challenges in clinical management.

Locoregional Treatment in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Which Treatment for Which Patient?

For unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC), different locoregional treatments (LRT) could be proposed to patients, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or transarterial treatments, depending on patient and tumor characteristics and local expertise. These different techniques of LRT have not been compared in a randomized clinical trial; most of the relevant studies are retrospective and not comparative. The aim of this narrative review is to help clinicians in their everyday practice discuss the pros and cons of each LRT, depending on the individual characteristics of their patients.

Update on Locoregional Therapies for Cholangiocellular Carcinoma

Locoregional therapy options for CCA are used, in particular, for non-resectable tumors and aim to reduce tumor viability or delay tumor growth and ultimately prolong overall survival. In addition to local ablative procedures such as radiofrequency- or microwave-ablation, transarterial procedures such as transarterial embolization (TAE), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), or selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) play a major role. In particular, in combination with advances in molecular medicine and immunotherapy, there has been a further development in the therapy of primary malignant liver tumors in recent years. In this review, we analyze data from recent studies and examine the implications for therapy of CCA, particularly with regard to the combination of locoregional therapies with modern systemic therapies.

Clinical outcomes of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To compare the treatment efficacy and safety of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immunotherapy combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

METHODS

Patients with unresectable ICC received TKIs and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy combined with HAIC (HTP group) or TACE (TTP group) were included. The clinicopathological characteristics, treatment efficacy, and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the two groups. The factors associated with response rate to the treatments were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 58 patients were enrolled, with 39 in the HTP group and 19 in the TTP group. Patients in the HTP group exhibited a better objective response rate (ORR; Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST] 48.7% vs 15.8%, P = 0.02; modified RECIST [mRECIST] 61.5% vs 21.1%, P = 0.004) and disease control rate (DCR; 82.1% vs 36.8%, P = 0.001) compared to the TTP group. The median progression-free survival (PFS) rate was not reached and the 1-year PFS rate was 61.9% in the HTP group, whereas the median PFS was 11.0 months and the 1-year PFS rate was 31.6% in the TTP group. The type of treatment and tumor size were significant factors for the response rate. More patients in the HTP group presented rash, abdominal pain and hand-foot syndrome, but all AEs were relieved after symptomatic treatment, and no treatment-related death occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

For unresectable ICC, treatment with a combination of HAIC with TKIs and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy was effective and safe. Tumor size might serve as a significant factor for the response rate following treatment for unresectable ICC.

Potential efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using gemcitabine, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has a poor prognosis, as the resectability rate is low due to its diagnosis at a late/advanced stage. Moreover, most patients with resected ICC eventually relapse. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has been indicated only by a few reports to be effective in patients with advanced ICC; thus, its efficacy for these patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of HAIC using gemcitabine, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced ICC. A total of 18 patients who underwent HAIC were retrospectively investigated. The patients received gemcitabine, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil through one artery. In patients who received gemcitabine plus cisplatin (n = 10), the response and disease control rates were 0% and 80.0%, respectively; the median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after treatment initiation were 6.3 and 3.7 months, respectively. In patients who never received chemotherapy (n = 8), the response and disease control rates were 37.5% and 75%, respectively; the median OS and PFS were 20.6 and 8.1 months, respectively. Moreover, we compared the patients who received HAIC using gemcitabine, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil to patients whose tumors were refractory to systemic gemcitabine and cisplatin therapy. The OS of the patients who received HAIC was better than that of the patients who received standard chemotherapy cohort since the gemcitabine plus cisplatin combination therapy-refractory response and disease onset (P = 0.045, 0.006). HAIC using gemcitabine, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil may be effective as a therapeutic option for patients with advanced ICC.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy following simultaneous metallic stent placement and iodine-125 seed strands for advanced cholangiocarcinoma causing malignant obstructive jaundice: a propensity score matching study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) following the simultaneous placement of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) and iodine-125 (¹²⁵I) seed strands for the management of advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients presenting with malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ).

METHODS

Data from 74 patients with MOJ caused by advanced CCA treated with stent placement with ¹²⁵I seed strands with or without HAIC between November 2015 and October 2020 were analysed retrospectively. Eighteen patients received 5 sessions of HAIC after SEMS placement with ¹²⁵I seed strands (HAIC group), and 56 patients only underwent SEMS placement with ¹²⁵I seed strands and served as controls (control group). HAIC consisted of infusions of gemcitabine (600-1000 mg/m² given over 30 min) followed by oxaliplatin (60-100 mg/m² given over 2 h), with an interval of 4 weeks. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to adjust for differences in the baseline characteristics of the groups (including age, total bilirubin, and serum alanine aminotransferase level). Overall survival (OS), stent patency, and adverse events were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

OS and stent patency were significantly better in patients in the HAIC group than in those in the control group (median survival time: before PSM, 362 vs. 185 days, p = 0.005; after PSM, 357 vs. 183 days, p = 0.012; median duration of stent patency: before PSM, 294 vs. 156 days, p = 0.001; after PSM, 287 vs. 183 days, p = 0.039). All adverse reactions were controllable by temporary symptomatic treatment. Serious complications and treatment-related deaths were not observed.

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary study showed that HAIC following SEMS placement with ¹²⁵I seed strands is effective and safe for the management of advanced CCA patients presenting with MOJ and could improve stent patency and patient survival.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion of Chemotherapy for Advanced Hepatobiliary Cancers: State of the Art

Simple Summary

Liver functional failure is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Systemic chemotherapy usually offers a modest benefit in terms of disease control rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival at the cost of a significant percentage of adverse events. Liver malignancies are mostly perfused by the hepatic artery while the normal liver parenchyma by the portal vein network. On these bases, the therapeutic strategy consisting of hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy takes place. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on this approach from different points of view, such as techniques, drugs pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, and clinical outcomes for advanced hepatobiliary cancers. Most of the collected studies have several limitations: non-randomized retrospective design, a relatively small number of patients, the hepatic arterial administration of different chemotherapeutic agents, as well as its combination with a great heterogeneity of systemic agents. However, despite these limitations, the presented data show favorable results in terms of safety and efficacy for hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy, with respect or in alternative to the gold standard treatment, even when they are combined with systemic treatments. Therefore, this therapeutic strategy may be an alternative or an integrative treatment option for advanced hepatobiliary cancers. Further and larger prospective, randomized, multi-center studies, with well-defined inclusion criteria and treatment strategies, are required to confirm the presented data.

Abstract

Liver functional failure is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Primary liver tumors grow up mainly in the liver, and thus happens for liver metastases deriving from other organs having a lower burden of disease at the primary site. Systemic chemotherapy usually offers a modest benefit in terms of disease control rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival at the cost of a significant percentage of adverse events. Liver malignancies are mostly perfused by the hepatic artery while the normal liver parenchyma by the portal vein network. On these bases, the therapeutic strategy consisting of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of chemotherapy takes place. In literature, HAI chemotherapy was applied for the treatment of advanced hepatobiliary cancers with encouraging results. Different chemotherapeutic agents were used such as Oxaliplatin, Cisplatin, Gemcitabine, Floxuridine, 5-Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, individually or in combination. However, the efficacy of this treatment strategy remains controversial. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the current knowledge on this approach from different points of view, such as techniques, drugs pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, and clinical outcomes for advanced hepatobiliary cancers.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, a Comprehensive Review

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primitive liver cancer. Despite recent advances in the surgical management, the prognosis remains poor, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) has a median survival between 18 and 30 months, but if deemed unresectable it decreases to 6 months. Most patients have a liver-confined disease that is considered unresectable because of its localization, with infiltration of vascular structures or multifocality. The peculiar dual blood supply allows the delivery of high doses of chemotherapy via a surgically implanted subcutaneous pump, through the predominant arterial tumor vascularization, achieving much higher and more selective tumor drug levels than systemic administration. The results of the latest studies suggest that adequate and early treatment with the combination approach of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) and systemic (SYS) chemotherapy is associated with improved progression-free and overall survival than SYS or HAI alone for the treatment of unresectable iCCA. Current recommendations are limited by a lack of prospective trials. Individualization of chemotherapy and regimens based on selective targets in mutant iCCA are a focus for future research. In this paper we present a comprehensive review of the studies published to date and ongoing trials.

Survival Comparisons of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy With mFOLFOX and Transarterial Chemoembolization in Patients With Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has a poor prognosis and 40%-60% of patients present with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) have recently been used in unresectable ICC. The aim of this study was to compare the survival differences of unresectable ICC patients after TACE and HAIC treatment.

Methods

Between March 2011 and October 2019, a total of 126 patients with unresectable ICC, as evident from biopsies and imaging, and who had received TACE or HAIC were enrolled in this study. Baseline characteristics and survival differences were compared between the TACE and HAIC treatment groups.

Results

ICC Patients had significantly higher survival rates after the HAIC treatment, compared with those after TACE treatment [1-year overall survival (OS) rates: 60.2% vs. 42.9%, 2-year OS rates: 38.7% vs. 29.4%, P=0.028; 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates: 15.0% vs. 20.0%, 2-year PFS rates: 0% vs. 0%, P=0.641; 1-year only intrahepatic PFS (OIPFS) rates: 35.0% vs. 24.4%, 2-year OIPFS rates: 13.1% vs. 14.6%, P = 0.026]. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that HAIC was a significant and independent factor for OS and OIPFS in the study cohort.

Conclusions

HAIC is superior to TACE for treatment of unresectable ICC. A new tumor response evaluation procedure for HAIC treatment in unresectable ICC patients is needed to provide better therapeutic strategies. A randomized clinical trial comparing the survival benefits of HAIC and TACE is therefore being considered.

Therapeutic Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Data Mining Analysis

Prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is unsatisfactory. Tumor, host, and treatment factors including hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) are intricately involved in the progression of ICC. We aimed to identify profiles associated with disease control rate (DCR) and the prognosis of patients with unresectable ICC by decision tree analysis. We analyzed 31 consecutive patients with unresectable ICC (median age, 71 years; the male ratio was 58.1%). Stage IVB occupied 51.6% of patients, and 38.7% and 58.1% of patients were treated with gemcitabine plus cisplatin combination therapy and HAIC, respectively. Profiles associated with prognosis as well as DCR were investigated by decision tree analysis. The median survival time (MST) of the patients was 11.6 months, and the DCR was 70.9%. Multivariate correlation analysis showed that albumin levels and WBC levels were significantly correlated with survival time (albumin, ρ = 0.3572, p = 0.0485; WBC, ρ = -0.4008, p = 0.0280). In decision tree analysis, WBC level was selected as the initial split variable, and subjects with WBC levels of 6800/μL or less (45.1%) showed a long survival time (MST 476 days). We also demonstrated that the profile associated with the highest DCR was "less than 4.46 mg/dL of CRP levels and treatment with HAIC". We demonstrated a new prognostic profile for ICC patients, which consisted of WBC and CRP levels. Moreover, we demonstrated that HAIC was associated with better disease control in ICC patients with low CPR levels. Thus, these new profiles may be useful for the management of ICC patients.

Regional Chemotherapy for Biliary Tract Tumors and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are associated with a grim prognosis. The development of highly effective systemic therapies for these tumors has been challenging; however, numerous locoregional treatment alternatives have emerged, including transarterial hepatic embolization (TAE), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI), radioembolization, and stereotactic body radiation therapy. Although there is potential for long-term disease control for these therapies, the evidence to guide adequate patient selection and choose among different treatment alternatives is still limited. This review focuses on the rationale and data supporting TAE, TACE, DEB-TACE, and HAI in hepatobiliary cancers.

Challenges of surgical management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a rare malignancy arising from biliary tract epithelium within bile ducts proximal to the secondary biliary radicles. The majority of patients are diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease at presentation. Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative option, but poses unique challenges due to the large size and aggressive behavior of these tumors. Areas covered: The goal of surgical management of iCCA is margin negative (R0) hepatic resection with preservation of adequate size liver remnant and function. Data regarding role of staging laparoscopy, margin status, portal lymphadenectomy, and vascular resection for iCCA are reviewed. Perioperative systemic therapy may have value, although prospective data have been lacking. Recurrence rates remain high even after R0 resection; among patients with recurrent disease limited to the liver, re-resection or locoregional therapies may play a role. Liver transplantation may be an option for select patients with very early-stage iCCA, although this should be done on a protocol-only basis. Expert commentary: Appropriate preoperative patient selection and surgical technique are paramount to ensure optimal oncologic outcomes for patients with resectable iCCA. Improving systemic and locoregional therapy options may help decrease recurrence rates and improve long-term survival for this aggressive malignancy.

Hepatic intra-arterial and systemic chemotherapy followed by maintenance therapy for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma

Aim

The aim is to report clinical outcomes of hepatic intra-arterial (IACHT) and systemic chemotherapy (SCHT), followed by gemcitabine-based maintenance therapy (maintenance), for the treatment of relapsed or unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

Patients & methods

In this retrospective observational study, 145 cholangiocarcinoma patients were treated with Epirubicin-Cisplatin as IACHT associated with Capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil as SCHT. Maintenance was performed with gemcitabine-based schedule. Toxicity was assessed with NCI-CTCAE and tumor response with RECIST 1.1.

Results

Tumor response was complete in 1%, partial in 20%, stable disease in 48% and progression in 31% of patients (3 months after therapy). The most frequent adverse events were: anemia (24%), nausea and vomiting (33%), alopecia (60%).

Conclusion

Cholangiocarcinoma patients may benefit from IAHCT-SCHT. Maintenance may prolong clinical benefits. ClinicalTrials.gov registry Identifier: NCT01920503.

Successful palliative approach with high-intensity focused ultrasound in a patient with metastatic anaplastic pancreatic carcinoma: a case report

We report a case of a 74-year-old man with a metastatic anaplastic pancreatic carcinoma (APC). After an early tumour progression on first-line chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine, even though it was badly tolerated, he was treated with a combination of systemic modified FOLFIRI and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) on the pancreatic mass. A tumour showing partial response with a clinical benefit was obtained. HIFU was preferred to radiotherapy because of its shorter course and minimal side effects, in order to improve the patient's clinical conditions. The patient is currently on chemotherapy, asymptomatic with a good performance status. In referral centres, with specific expertise, HIFU could be safely and successfully combined with systemic chemotherapy for treatment of metastatic pancreatic carcinoma.

Extensive Use of Interventional Therapies Improves Survival in Unresectable or Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Aim. To assess the outcomes of patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (ICC) treated by a tailored therapeutic approach, combining systemic with advanced image-guided local or locoregional therapies. Materials and Methods. Treatment followed an algorithm established by a multidisciplinary GI-tumor team. Treatment options comprised ablation (RFA, CT-guided brachytherapy) or locoregional techniques (TACE, radioembolization, i.a. chemotherapy). Results. Median survival was 33.1 months from time of diagnosis and 16.0 months from first therapy. UICC stage analysis showed a median survival of 15.9 months for stage I, 9 months for IIIa, 18.4 months for IIIc, and 13 months for IV. Only the number of lesions, baseline serum CEA and serum CA19-9, and objective response (RECIST) were independently associated with survival. Extrahepatic metastases had no influence. Conclusion. Patients with unresectable ICC may benefit from hepatic tumor control provided by local or locoregional therapies. Future prospective study formats should focus on supplementing systemic therapy by classes of interventions (“toolbox”) rather than specific techniques, that is, local ablation leading to complete tumor destruction (such as RFA) or locoregional treatment leading to partial remission (such as radioembolization). This trial is registered with German Clinical Trials Registry (Deutsche Register Klinischer Studien), DRKS-ID: DRKS00006237.

Unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Systemic plus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy is associated with longer survival in comparison with systemic chemotherapy alone

BACKGROUND

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is associated with poor survival. This study compared the outcomes of patients with unresectable ICC treated with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) plus systemic chemotherapy (SYS) with the outcomes of patients treated with SYS alone.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with ICC were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathologic data were reviewed. Survival rates were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank testing.

RESULTS

Between January 2000 and August 2012, 525 patients with ICC were evaluated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and 236 patients with unresectable tumors (locally advanced or metastatic) were analyzed. Disease was confined to the liver in 104 patients, who underwent treatment with combined HAI and SYS (n = 78 or 75%) or SYS alone (n = 26 or 25%). The response rate in the combined group was better than the rate in the group receiving SYS alone, although this did not reach statistical significance (59% vs 39%, P = .11). Overall survival for the combined group was longer than overall survival for the patients who received SYS alone (30.8 vs 18.4 months, P < .001), and this difference was maintained when patients with portal lymph node disease were included in the survival analysis (29.6 months with HAI and SYS [n = 93] vs 15.9 months with SYS [n = 74], P < .001). Eight patients who initially presented with unresectable tumors responded enough to undergo complete resection and had a median overall survival of 37 months (range, 10.4-92.3 months).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with unresectable ICC confined to the liver or with limited regional nodal disease, a combination of SYS and HAI chemotherapy is associated with greater survival than SYS alone. Cancer 2016;122:758-765. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

Is There Any Evidence for a Role of Local Treatment in Cholangiocarcinoma?

Background

Most cholangiocarcinomas (CCA) are locally advanced and unresectable at the time of diagnosis. Currently, chemotherapy combining gemcitabine with a platinum agent is the recommended first-line treatment regimen for advanced biliary tract cancer. However, median overall survival is only approximately 1 year. As the hepatic tumor burden is the limiting factor for the prognosis of these patients, local tumor control is essential.

Methods

We present and discuss the current evidence for such therapy options for patients with CCA.

Results

Local and locoregional therapies have been shown to be well tolerated and can contribute to tumor control in the context of a comprehensive oncologic treatment strategy, and may prolong survival of patients with advanced CCA. Unfortunately, only few high-quality clinical trials are available.

Conclusion

Randomized prospective clinical trials enrolling larger numbers of patients need to be carried out to elucidate the precise value of these treatments alone as well as in combination with systemic chemotherapy.

Intraarterial 5-fluorouracil and interferon therapy is safe and effective for nonresectable biliary tract adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

The prognosis in advanced biliary carcinoma has remained poor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of intraarterial 5-fluorouracil and interferon therapy against unresectable biliary carcinoma.

METHODS

Patients with unresectable biliary carcinoma with performance status 0 or 1 were enrolled between January 2002 and September 2012. They received pegylated interferon-α 2a and intraarterial 5-FU every 4 weeks. The therapy was either terminated at the end of the first cycle for the patients with progressive disease or continued for at least three cycles. Patients' characteristics (physical, laboratory and radiographic) at the time of starting intraarterial 5-FU therapy were investigated. The relationship between the patients' characteristics and outcome, i.e., survival time and radiographic therapeutic evaluation of patients, was statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Tumor sites were the intrahepatic bile ducts in 23 patients and gallbladder in 2 patients. Previous treatment had been administered in ten patients. The overall response rate was 24% (6 partial responses in 25 patients). Stable disease was observed in 13 patients. The median overall survival was 358 days. Among the six partial responses, three patients received surgery, and one patient received radiofrequency ablation because clinical downstaging was obtained. The treatment was well tolerated. The survival analyses revealed that two factors (serum albumin ≥ 3.5 and hypovascular tumor) were significantly associated with overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination therapy with 5-FU and interferon-α was safe and may improve the prognosis of advanced biliary carcinomas.

Phase I trial of oral S-1 combined with hepatic arterial infusion of gemcitabine in unresectable biliary tract cancer

PURPOSE

S-1 and gemcitabine (GS) combination therapy is a promising treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). However, systemic administration of GS is associated with a high rate of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia. Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of gemcitabine may overcome this problem. We conducted a prospective phase 1 trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of S-1 and rates of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) associated with HAI of gemcitabine in patients with unresectable BTC.

METHODS

BTC patients were treated with 21-day cycles of HAI of gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8) and oral S-1 (60, 70, or 80 mg/m(2) on days 1-14) until disease progression occurred.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were enrolled in the study. Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia occurred in five of 15 (33%) patients. Among six patients who were treated with 60 mg/m(2) S-1, one developed grade 4 neutropenia. DLTs (grade 4 neutropenia and bladder infection) occurred in two of six patients who were treated with 70 mg/m(2) S-1. Two of the three patients who were treated with 80 mg/m(2) S-1 experienced DLTs (grade 4 leukopenia and neutropenia and grade 3 febrile neutropenia). Thus, 80 mg/m(2) was defined as the MTD of S-1.

CONCLUSION

The MTD of oral S-1 in GS therapy is 80 mg/m(2). Furthermore, HAI of gemcitabine may reduce the rate of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia in BTC patients receiving GS therapy.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cisplatin is effective for advanced hepatocellular cell carcinoma

Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a fatal disease even in the era of targeted therapies. Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IACT) can provide therapeutic benefits for patients with locally advanced HCC who are not eligible for local therapies or are refractory to targeted therapies. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the effect of IACT with cisplatin and doxorubicin on advanced HCC. Methods. Patients with advanced HCC who were not eligible for local therapies or were refractory to sorafenib received doxorubicin (50 mg/m²) and cisplatin (50 mg/m²) infusions into the liver via the transhepatic artery. Between January 2005 and December 2011, a total of 50 patients with advanced HCC received this treatment regimen. The overall response rate (ORR) was 22% in all treated patients. In patients who received at least 2 cycles of IACT, the ORR was 36.7%, and the disease control rate was 70%. Survival rate differed significantly between patients who received only one cycle of IACT (group I) and those who received several cycles (group II). The median progression-free survival was 1.3 months and 5.8 months in groups I and II, respectively (P < 0.0001). The median overall survival was 8.3 months for all patients and was 3.1 months and 12.0 months in groups I and II, respectively (P < 0.0001). The most common toxicity was alopecia. Four patients developed grade 3 or 4 leukopenia. Worsening of liver function, nausea, and vomiting were uncommon side effects. This study demonstrated clinical efficacy and tolerable side effects of repeated IACT with doxorubicin and cisplatin in advanced HCC. Our regimen can be an alternative choice for patients with adequate liver function who do not want to receive continuous infusion of IACT.

Efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil and systemic pegylated interferon α-2b for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cholangiocarcinoma is categorized into intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC). The prognosis of ICC is far worse than that of ECC. In this pilot trial, the efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combined with subcutaneous administration of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) α-2b in patients with advanced ICC was evaluated.

METHODS

The subjects were 20 advanced ICC patients treated using subcutaneous PEG-IFNα-2b (50-100 μg on day 1 of every week, for 4 weeks) and intra-arterial infusion of 5-FU (250 mg/day for 5 h on days 1-5 of every week, for 4 weeks). One treatment cycle lasted 4 weeks. Therapy was discontinued in patients with progressive disease (PD). For responses other than PD, treatment was repeated for ≥1 cycle.

RESULTS

The objective early response rate was 60.0 %. Cumulative survival rates were 71.6 % at 6 months, 53.7 % at 12 months, 28.6 % at 18 months, and 14.3 % at 24 months. Median survival time was 14.6 months. All adverse reactions were controllable by temporary suspension of treatment. Serious complications and treatment-related deaths were not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination therapy of PEG-IFNα-2b and 5-FU for advanced ICC seems not to be worse than the results of the previous studies. Furthermore, most adverse effects are transient and well tolerated. Based on the present findings, this combination therapy may be useful for patients with advanced ICC as one of the therapeutic option.

Regional chemotherapy for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a potential role for dynamic magnetic resonance imaging as an imaging biomarker and a survival update from two prospective clinical trials

BACKGROUND

For patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), treatment options are limited and survival is poor. This study summarizes the long-term outcome of two previously reported clinical trials using hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) with floxuridine and dexamethasone (with or without bevacizumab) in advanced ICC.

METHODS

Prospectively collected clinicopathologic and survival data were retrospectively reviewed. Response was based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Pre-HAI dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) images were reviewed, and tumor perfusion data correlated with outcome.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients were analyzed (floxuridine, 26; floxuridine/bevacizumab, 18). At a median follow-up of 29.3 months, 41 patients had died of disease. Partial response by RECIST was observed in 48 %, and 50 % had stable disease. Three patients underwent resection after response, and 82 % received additional HAI after removal from the trials. Median survival was similar in both trials (floxuridine 29.3 months vs. floxuridine/bevacizumab 28.5 months; p = 0.96). Ten (23 %) patients survived ≥3 years, including 5 (11 %) who survived ≥5 years. Tumor perfusion measured on pre-treatment DCE-MRI [area under the gadolinium concentration curve at 90 and 180 s (AUC90 and AUC180, respectively)] was significantly higher in ≥3-year survivors and was the only factor that distinguished this group from <3-year survivors (mean AUC90 22.6 vs. 15.9 mM s, p = 0.025, and mean AUC180 48.9 vs. 32.3 mM s, p = 0.003, respectively). Median hepatic progression-free survival was longer in ≥3-year survivors (12.9 vs. 9.3 months, respectively; p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

HAI chemotherapy can result in prolonged survival in unresectable ICC. Pre-HAI DCE-MRI may predict treatment outcome.

Interventionally implanted port catheter systems for hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy in patients with primary liver cancer: a phase II-study (NCT00356161)

BACKGROUND

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of chemotherapy requires the implantation of a transcatheter application system which is traditionally performed by surgery. This procedure, but particularly the adjacent drug application via pump or port is often hampered by specific complications and device failure. Interventionally implanted port catheter systems (IIPCS) facilitate the commencement of HAI without need for laparatomy, and are associated with favorable complication rates. We here present an evaluation of the most important technical endpoints associated with the use of IIPCS for HAI in patients with primary liver cancers.

METHODS

70 patients (pts) with hepatocellular (HCC, n=33) and biliary tract cancer (BTC, n=37) were enrolled into a phase II -study. Of those, n=43 had recurrent disease and n=31 suffered from liver-predominant UICC-stage IVb. All pts were provided with IIPCSs before being treated with biweekly, intraarterial chemotherapy (oxaliplatin, 5-Flourouracil, folinic acid). The primary objective of the trial was defined as evaluation of device-related complications and port duration.

RESULTS

Implantation of port catheters was successful in all patients. Mean treatment duration was 5.8 months, and median duration of port patency was not reached. Disease-progression was the most common reason for treatment discontinuation (44 pts., 63%), followed by chemotherapy-related toxicity (12 pts., 17%), and irreversible device failure (5 pts., 7%). A total of 28 port complications occurred in 21 pts (30%). No unexpected complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

HAI via interventionally implanted port catheters can be safely applied to patients with primary liver tumors far advanced or/and pretreated.

Intra-arterial therapy for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a multi-institutional analysis

BACKGROUND

Many patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) present with advanced and inoperable disease. Data on the safety and efficacy of intra-arterial therapy (IAT) for ICC are limited.

METHODS

Between 1992 and 2012, a total of 198 patients with advanced ICC treated with IAT were retrospectively identified from the databases of five major hepatobiliary institutions. Data on clinicopathological factors, morbidity, response rates, and overall survival were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Median patient age was 61 years. Median tumor size was 8.1 cm, and 47.5% patients had a solitary lesion. IAT consisted of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) (64.7%), drug-eluting beads (DEB) (5.6%), bland embolization (TAE) (6.6%), or yttrium-90 radioembolization (23.2%). Median number of IAT sessions was 2 (range 1-8). The median time between IAT sessions was 48 days. The periprocedural morbidity was 29.8%; most complications were minor (n = 43); however, 16 patients had a grade 3-4 complication. Assessment of tumor response revealed complete or partial response in 25.5% patients, while 61.5% had stable disease; 13.0% had progressive disease. Median overall survival was 13.2 months and did not differ on the basis of the type of IAT (cTACE, 13.4 months vs. DEB 10.5 months vs. TAE, 14.3 months vs. yttrium-90, 11.3 months; P = 0.46). IAT response on modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST; hazard ratio for complete-partial response 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.30-0.81; P < 0.001) was independently associated with better survival.

CONCLUSIONS

IAT for ICC was safe and led to stable disease or partial to complete response in up to three-quarters of patients. Among patients with an IAT response, overall survival was prolonged. The role of IAT therapy for ICC warrants further prospective evaluation in clinical trials.

Chemotherapy for the biliary tract cancers: moving toward improved survival time

BACKGROUND

The biliary tract carcinomas rank fifth in incidence among all gastrointestinal tumours. This group of tumours includes both cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma. Although surgery represents the main therapeutic option for these patients, both radiotherapy and chemotherapy could be used in a multidisciplinary approach. Several studies are currently available on the use of chemotherapy, including 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, methotrexate, doxorubicin and cisplatin or newer anticancer molecules, such as gemcitabine, capecitabine, oxaliplatin and irinotecan. However, the small sample size of most of these studies prevents generalization.

DISCUSSION

We reviewed the available data on both chemotherapy and targeted therapies for biliary carcinoma. By using conventional chemotherapy, a response rate ranging from 10% to 40% has been reported. Although encouraging data emerged with the use of targeted therapies, further efforts are needed to improve treatment options for patients with biliary tract cancer.

Modern prospection for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in malignancies with liver metastases

Malignancy with liver metastasis plays an important role in daily oncology practice, especially for primary cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatopancreatobiliary system. On account of the dual vascular supply system and the fact that most metastatic liver tumors are supplied by the hepatic artery, hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is an appealing method for the treatment of liver metastases. Herein, we summarize recent study results reported in the literature regarding the use of HAIC for metastatic liver tumors, with special focus on colorectal cancer.

Hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy in patients with advanced primary liver tumours

Background:

Primary liver tumours (PLTs) are currently a major health problem worldwide. The study’s aim was to investigate the feasibility, toxicity, and activity of hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy (HIAC) in patients with advanced PLTs.

Methods:

We retrospectively analysed 43 patients with advanced unresectable PLT, who were consecutively treated. HIAC with 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and mitomycin-C was administered through a radiologically positioned temporary percutaneous catheter every six weeks until tumour progression or unacceptable toxicity was reached.

Results:

Partial response was observed in 26% and stable disease in 41% of patients. The median overall survival was 12.3 months. Manageable catheter-related complications occurred in 23% of patients. The grade 3–4 toxicities included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis. There were no toxic deaths.

Conclusion:

The results of this retrospective study show that HIAC is feasible, active, and manageable in patients with PLTs. The treatment could be studied in selected patients with advanced progressive HCC/BTC being treated with or ineligible for sorafenib/cisplatin plus gemcitabine.

Phase I trial of hepatic arterial infusion of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel: toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and activity

Because liver involvement in patients with metastatic cancer has limited options and poor outcomes, we conducted a phase I study to determine the safety, activity, and pharmacokinetic characteristics of hepatic arterial infusion of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (HAI nab-paclitaxel). Cohorts of three patients having predominant hepatic metastases received HAI nab-paclitaxel at three dose levels (180, 220, and 260 mg/m(2), respectively) infused for more than 1 hour every 3 weeks (3 + 3 design). Some patients participated in comparative pharmacokinetic studies (i.v. vs. HAI), receiving their first course i.v., to determine peak concentrations and effect of first-pass hepatic extraction compared with subsequent courses administered by HAI. The highest dose level was expanded to determine the safety and activity of HAI nab-paclitaxel. Thirty-eight patients were treated. There were no dose-limiting toxicities at doses up to 260 mg/m(2). Common adverse events included alopecia, fatigue, myelosuppresion, nausea, and vomiting. Three patients had stable disease for 4 or more months and 2 patients (1 of 12 with breast cancer and 1 of 1 with cervical cancer) achieved a partial response lasting for 5 and 15 months, respectively. Peak concentrations were lower (∼50%) with greater hepatic extraction of drug (∼42%) following HAI than i.v. infusion based on area under the curve comparison of drug exposure. HAI nab-paclitaxel showed partial hepatic extraction. At doses 260 mg/m(2) or less given for 1 hour every 3 weeks, the treatment was well-tolerated and showed activity in advanced cancer patients with predominant liver metastases.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy as therapeutic strategies in extrahepatic biliary duct carcinoma

PURPOSE

this report aims to provide an overview on radiotherapy and chemotherapy in extrahepatic biliary duct carcinoma (BDC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

a PubMed research identified clinical trials in BDC through April 1, 2010 including randomised controlled trials, SEER analyses and retrospective trials. Additionally, publications on the technical progress of radiotherapy in or close to the liver were analysed.

RESULTS

most patients with cholangiocarcinoma present with unresectable disease (80-90%), and more than half of the resected patients relapse within 1 year. Adjuvant and palliative treatment options need to be chosen carefully since 50% of the patients are older than 70 years at diagnosis. Adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy after complete resection (R0) has not convincingly shown a prolongation of survival but radiotherapy did after R1 resection. However, data suggest that liver transplantation could offer long-term survival in selected patients when combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with marginally resectable disease. For patients with unresectable biliary tract carcinoma (BTC), palliative stenting was previously the treatment of choice. But recent SEER analyses show that radiotherapy prolongs survival, relieves symptoms and contributes to biliary decompression and should be regarded as the new standard. Novel technical advances in radiotherapy may allow for dose-escalation and could significantly improve outcome for patients with cholangiocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

both the literature and recent technical progress corroborate the role of radiotherapy in BDC offering chances for novel clinical trials. Progress is less pronounced in chemotherapy.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a primary cancer of the bile ducts, arising from malignant transformation of the epithelial cells that line the biliary apparatus. ICC is relatively uncommon, but its incidence is on the increase. ICC is frequently discovered as an incidental, indeterminate liver mass. Surgical resection of ICC represents the only potentially curative therapeutic option. The role of routine hilar lymphadenectomy is controversial, but should be considered to optimize staging. Although adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy is probably not supported by current data, each should strongly be considered in patients with lymph node metastasis or an R1 resection. For those patients with inoperable disease, locoregional therapy with transarterial chemoembolization can be considered.

Precision hepatic arterial irinotecan therapy in the treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma: optimal tolerance and prolonged overall survival

BACKGROUND

Unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (ICC) carries a poor prognosis, and there are few chemotherapeutic treatments to prolong survival. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of drug-eluting bead (DEB) therapy by transarterial infusion for unresectable ICC.

METHODS

A prospective multicenter study of ICC patients who received hepatic arterial DEB therapy.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients with unresectable ICC were treated with DEB. Ten patients (41.6%) had recurrent ICC after prior radiofrequency ablation (n = 3) or hepatectomy (n = 7). Twenty patients (80%) had received prior chemotherapy, mostly of gemcitabine (n = 8) or Eloxatin (n = 6). The percent of overall liver involvement was < 25% (n = 8), 26% to 50% (n = 11), and > 50% (n = 4). Ten patients (40%) had sites of extrahepatic disease located at lymph nodes (n = 5), bone (n = 2), peritoneum (n = 1), lung (n = 1), and mouth (n = 1). A total of 42 DEB treatments were administered. Eight were administered in combination with systemic chemotherapy of FOLFOX (n = 4) or Gemzar (n = 4). Twelve patients (48%) received a second treatment, and 4 patients (16%) received a third treatment. The median length of stay was 23 h (23-72 h). Eleven adverse reactions (26.2%) were reported. Of these, 7 (63.6%) were minor (less than grade 3). One patient died from hepatorenal syndrome. The disease of one patient was downstaged to resection. After a median follow-up of 13.6 months, the median overall survival of a multitherapeutic regimen with DEB therapy was significantly greater than chemotherapy alone (17.5 vs. 7.4 months; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Bead therapy is safe and effective in patients with unresectable ICC. There is a marked survival benefit when DEB therapy is used as adjunctive therapy.

A successful treatment by hepatic arterial infusion therapy for advanced, unresectable biliary tract cancer

Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are relatively rare tumors, and the prognosis is extremely poor. There has been no standard chemotherapy for advanced BTC. However, recently, gemcitabine (GEM) have been used against BTC as the most active agent, and promising response rates and overall survival times with tolerable drug toxicities have been observed. In this article, two cases of advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and unresectable metastatic gallbladder (GB) cancer are reported. They were treated with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy using a combination of GEM and cisplatin, along with the systemic administration of GEM. As a consequence, multiple liver tumors, the GB cancer and metastatic lymph nodes regressed without severe drug toxicities, and favorable results (the overall survival times were 16 and 14 mo, respectively) were achieved. In conclusion, HAI therapy using GEM combined with cisplatin may be a useful and well-tolerated option for advanced BTC, especially in cases where multiple liver metastases are detected.

Phase I clinical trial of hepatic arterial infusion of cisplatin in combination with intravenous liposomal doxorubicin in patients with advanced cancer and dominant liver involvement

PURPOSE

We conducted a phase I study of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) cisplatin and systemic chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancer and dominant liver involvement.

METHODS

Patients were treated with HAI cisplatin 100-125 mg/m(2) (and 3,000 IU heparin) intraarterially and liposomal doxorubicin (doxil) 20-35 mg/m(2) IV (day 1) every 28 days. A "3 + 3" study design was used.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were treated (median age, 56 years). Diagnoses were breast cancer (n = 11), colorectal cancer (n = 8), ocular melanoma (n = 4), and other (n = 7). The median number of prior therapies was 5. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was at the 100/35 mg/m(2) level. Dose-limiting toxicities were Grade 4 neutropenia (2 of 4 patients), and Grade 4 thrombocytopenia (n = 1) at the cisplatin 125 mg/m(2) and systemic doxil 35 mg/m(2) dose level. The most common toxicities were nausea/vomiting and fatigue. Of 24 patients evaluable for response, 4 (17%) had a partial response (PR) and 7 (29%) had stable disease (SD) for ≥4 months. Of the 11 patients with breast cancer, 3 (27%) had a PR and 5 (45%) had SD for ≥4 months. Of 4 patients with ocular melanoma, 1 had a PR and 1 SD for 4 months. One patient with hepatocellular carcinoma had SD for 4 months. Of 12 evaluable patients treated at the MTD, 2 (17%) had a PR and 5 (42%) had SD.

CONCLUSION

The MTD was HAI cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) and systemic doxil 35 mg/m(2). This regimen demonstrated antitumor activity, especially in breast cancer.

Treatment of unresectable cholangiocarcinoma with gemcitabine-based transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE): a single-institution experience

BACKGROUND

Survival for patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma is reported to range from only 5-8 months without treatment. Systemic chemotherapy has not been shown to significantly improve survival, but newer regimens involving gemcitabine have shown increased response rates. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been shown to prolong survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients, but experience using TACE in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma is limited. We report our experience treating cholangiocarcinoma with TACE using chemotherapeutic regimens based on the well-tolerated drug gemcitabine.

METHODS

Forty-two patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma were treated with one or more cycles of gemcitabine-based TACE at our institution. Chemotherapy regimens used for TACE included: gemcitabine only (n=18), gemcitabine followed by cisplatin (n=2), gemcitabine followed by oxaliplatin (n=4), gemcitabine and cisplatin in combination (n=14), and gemcitabine and cisplatin followed by oxaliplatin (n=4).

RESULTS

Patients were 59 years of age (range 36-86) and received a median of 3.5 TACE treatments (range 1-16). Thirty-seven patients (88%) had central cholangiocarcinoma, and five (12%) had peripheral tumors. Nineteen patients (45%) had extrahepatic disease. Grade 3 adverse events (AEs) after TACE treatments were seen in five patients, whereas grade 4 AEs occurred in two patients. No patients died within 30 days of TACE. Median survival from time of first treatment was 9.1 months overall. Results did not vary by patient age, sex, size of largest initial tumor, or by the presence of extra-hepatic disease. Treatment with gemcitabine-cisplatin combination TACE resulted in significantly longer survival (13.8 months) compared to TACE with gemcitabine alone (6.3 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Our report represents the largest series to date regarding hepatic-artery-directed therapy for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma and provides evidence in favor of TACE as a promising treatment modality in unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. Our results suggest that gemcitabine-based TACE is well tolerated and confers better survival when given in combination therapy (with cisplatin or oxaliplatin) for patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

Palliative hepatic intraarterial chemotherapy (HIC) using a novel combination of gemcitabine and mitomycin C: results in hepatic metastases

To evaluate repeated hepatic intraarterial chemotherapy (HIC) as a palliative treatment option for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma and liver metastases of various origins that were progressive under systemic chemotherapy. Between 2002 and 2006, 55 patients were treated in 4-week intervals (mean five sessions). Combined gemcitabine/mitomycin was administered intraarterially within 1 h. Tumor response was evaluated after the third session according to RECIST. Treated tumor entities were colorectal carcinoma (CRC) (n = 12), breast cancer (BC) (n = 12), cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) (n = 10), pancreatic (n = 4), ovarian (n = 3), gastric, cervical, papillary (each n = 2), prostate, esophageal carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma (each n = 1), cancer of unknown primacy (CUP) (n = 5). All patients tolerated the treatment well without any major side effects or complications. In total, there were 1 complete response (CR), 19 partial responses (PR), 19 stable (SD) and 16 progressive diseases (PD). We observed 5 PR, 3 SD and 4 PD in CRC; 1 CR, 4 PR, 6 SD in BC; and 2 PR, 2 SD and 6 PD in CCC. Median survival after first HIC was 9.7 months for CRC, 11.4 months for BC and 6.0 months for CCC. HIC with gemcitabine/mitomycin is a safe, minimally invasive, palliative treatment for hepatic metastases that are progressive under systemic chemotherapy. The treatment yields respectable tumor control rates in CRC and BC patients.

A simple catheter-vessel model for MR assessment of drug distribution in arteries and optimization of catheter design for intraarterial infusion therapy

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy of a new catheter-vessel model for MRI to evaluate drug distribution and to optimize catheter design for intraarterial infusion therapy

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The model consisted of a hepatic artery simulant tube through which blood simulant water flowed continuously and a water cistern. Catheters were inserted into the tube and a gadolinium contrast medium was injected at rates suitable for angiographic or computed tomographic evaluation and commensurate with the clinical drug infusion rate. Axial images of the tube were obtained with a 0.2-T scanner and gradient echo technique. Preliminary studies and catheter tests were conducted. The points at which drug and water were completely mixed were defined as the site with uniform enhancement nearest the catheter tip.

RESULTS

Flip angle and gadolinium concentrations were optimized at 90 degrees, and at 62.5 and 500 mM for the high and low infusion rates, respectively. Drug distribution near the catheter tips was clearly visualized. The drug was mixed in shorter distances via the slit side-hole than the end- or side-hole catheters, and the smaller diametrical than the larger at either rate.

CONCLUSION

This model appeared to be effective for evaluation of drug distribution and optimization of catheter design.

Current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of cholangiocarcinoma

Malignancies arising from biliary tract epithelia, or cholangiocarcinoma, are rare tumors that have a poor prognosis. The incidence of these tumors is gradually increasing in many countries. Recent advances have been made in identifying some of the risk factors, and the need for appropriate classification is emerging. The diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma is often difficult and requires multiple complementary studies. The use of molecular approaches may improve the diagnostic utility of biliary cytology. Treatment of these tumors is complex, and there are many different treatment options. Although surgical resection can be curative, many patients with cholangiocarcinoma are diagnosed at an advanced stage when only palliative approaches can be used. Photodynamic therapy is emerging as a useful modality.

Combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin as first-line treatment for immunohistochemically proven cholangiocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety profile of gemcitabine plus cisplatin in patients with immunohistochemically proven unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between March 2002 and December 2004, a total of 24 patients with immunohistochemically proven cholangiocarcinoma were entered in this study. Treatment consisted of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 intravenous infusion on day 1 and 8 and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks.

RESULTS

Seventy-one cycles of treatment were given, with a median of 3 cycles (range, 2-6 cycles). Five patients had a partial response (PR), 12 patients had stable disease (SD), and 7 patients progressed during treatment. A median survival of 9.30 months (range, 6.43-12.17) was obtained hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were generally acceptable. However, there was one treatment-related mortality caused by thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) associated with gemcitabine and cisplatin.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination chemotherapy of gemcitabine and cisplatin had a modest effect and was a well tolerated treatment of patients with immunohistochemically proven metastatic or unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.