[Transarterial chemoembolization of liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma using degradable starch microspheres (Spherex): personal investigations and review of the literature]

Biodegradable Microspheres for Transarterial Chemoembolization in Malignant Liver Disease

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has revolutionized the treatment landscape for malignant liver disease, offering localized therapy with reduced systemic toxicity. This manuscript delves into the use of degradable microspheres (DMS) in TACE, exploring its potential advantages and clinical applications. DMS-TACE emerges as a promising strategy, offering temporary vessel occlusion and optimized drug delivery. The manuscript reviews the existing literature on DMS-TACE, emphasizing its tolerability, toxicity, and efficacy. Notably, DMS-TACE demonstrates versatility in patient selection, being suitable for both intermediate and advanced stages. The unique properties of DMS provide advantages over traditional embolic agents. The manuscript discusses the DMS-TACE procedure, adverse events, and tumor response rates in HCC, ICC, and metastases.

Application of Starch, Cellulose, and Their Derivatives in the Development of Microparticle Drug-Delivery Systems

Micro- and nanotechnologies have been intensively studied in recent years as novel platforms for targeting and controlling the delivery of various pharmaceutical substances. Microparticulate drug delivery systems for oral, parenteral, or topical administration are multiple unit formulations, considered as powerful therapeutic tools for the treatment of various diseases, providing sustained drug release, enhanced drug stability, and precise dosing and directing the active substance to specific sites in the organism. The properties of these pharmaceutical formulations are highly dependent on the characteristics of the polymers used as drug carriers for their preparation. Starch and cellulose are among the most preferred biomaterials for biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and lack of toxicity. These polysaccharides and their derivatives, like dextrins (maltodextrin, cyclodextrins), ethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, carboxy methylcellulose, etc., have been widely used in pharmaceutical technology as excipients for the preparation of solid, semi-solid, and liquid dosage forms. Due to their accessibility and relatively easy particle-forming properties, starch and cellulose are promising materials for designing drug-loaded microparticles for various therapeutic applications. This study aims to summarize some of the basic characteristics of starch and cellulose derivatives related to their potential utilization as microparticulate drug carriers in the pharmaceutical field.

Interventional radiological therapies in colorectal hepatic metastases

Colorectal malignancy is the third most common cancer and one of the prevalent causes of death globally. Around 20-25% of patients present with metastases at the time of diagnosis, and 50-60% of patients develop metastases in due course of the disease. Liver, followed by lung and lymph nodes, are the most common sites of colorectal cancer metastases. In such patients, the 5-year survival rate is approximately 19.2%. Although surgical resection is the primary mode of managing colorectal cancer metastases, only 10-25% of patients are competent for curative therapy. Hepatic insufficiency may be the aftermath of extensive surgical hepatectomy. Hence formal assessment of future liver remnant volume (FLR) is imperative prior to surgery to prevent hepatic failure. The evolution of minimally invasive interventional radiological techniques has enhanced the treatment algorithm of patients with colorectal cancer metastases. Studies have demonstrated that these techniques may address the limitations of curative resection, such as insufficient FLR, bi-lobar disease, and patients at higher risk for surgery. This review focuses on curative and palliative role through procedures including portal vein embolization, radioembolization, and ablation. Alongside, we deliberate various studies on conventional chemoembolization and chemoembolization with irinotecan-loaded drug-eluting beads. The radioembolization with Yttrium-90 microspheres has evolved as salvage therapy in surgically unresectable and chemo-resistant metastases.

The Role of Conventional TACE (cTACE) and DEBIRI-TACE in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common tumor entities worldwide and a common cause of cancer-associated death. Colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) thereby constitute a severe life-limiting factor. The therapy of CRLM presents a major challenge and surgical resection as well as systemic chemotherapy remain the first-line treatment options. Over the years several locoregional, vascular- and image-based treatments offered by interventional radiologists have emerged when conventional therapies fail, or metastases recurrence occurs. Among such options is the conventional/traditional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) by local injection of a combination of chemotherapeutic- and embolic-agents. A similar treatment is the more recent irinotecan-loaded drug-eluting beads TACE (DEBIRI-TACE), which are administered using the same approach. Numerous studies have shown that these different types of chemoembolization can be applied in different clinical settings safely. Furthermore, such treatments can also be combined with other local or systemic therapies. Unfortunately, due to the incoherent patient populations of studies investigating TACE in CRLM, critics state that the definite evidence supporting positive patient outcomes is still lacking. In the following article we review studies on conventional and DEBIRI-TACE. Although highly dependent on the clinical setting, prior therapies and generally the study population, cTACE and DEBIRI-TACE show comparable results. We present the most representative studies on the different chemoembolization procedures and compare the results. Although there is compelling evidence for both approaches, further studies are necessary to determine which patients profit most from these therapies. In conclusion, we determine TACE to be a viable option in CRLM in different clinical settings. Nevertheless, a multidisciplinary approach is desired to offer patients the best possible care.

Transarterial chemoembolization of colorectal cancer liver metastasis: improved tumor response by DSM-TACE versus conventional TACE, a prospective, randomized, single-center trial

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively evaluate the therapy response of third-line TACE with DSM or lipiodol in the treatment of CRLM using MRI.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized, single-center trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive TACE therapy with either lipiodol or DSM as the embolization agent. Therapy response was evaluated using MRI. Local tumor response was determined according to RECIST 1.1, and survival data was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (35 male, 15 female) were randomized and included in the survival analysis, whereas 31 patients completed therapy and were considered for evaluation of tumor responses (cTACE: n = 13, DSM-TACE: n = 18). In the cTACE group, PR was observed in 23%, SD in 15%, and PD in 62%. In the DSM-TACE-group, PR was observed in 22% of patients, SD in 56%, and PD in 22% (p = 0.047). In addition, the DSM-TACE group showed statistically significant tumor volume reduction (p = 0.006). Median apparent diffusion coefficient values were not significantly different between both groups at baseline (p = 0.26) and study endpoint (p = 0.83). Median survival in the cTACE group was 13 months (95% confidence interval, range 5-40 months) compared to 16 months (95% confidence interval, range 1-48 months) in the DSM-TACE group, exhibiting no statistically significant difference (p = 0.75).

CONCLUSION

DSM-TACE showed a significant difference reducing tumor volume and in tumor response according to RECIST 1.1 compared to cTACE. Thus, patients with CRLM might not only benefit from short embolization effect of DSM-TACE but also from better tumor responses. Apparent diffusion coefficients were not significantly different between both groups and cannot be used as a biomarker for monitoring for therapeutic effect of TACE.

KEY POINTS

• To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study that directly compared cTACE and DSM-TACE in patients with CRLM. • DSM-TACE showed a significant difference reducing tumor volume (p = 0.006) and in tumor response according to RECIST 1.1 (p = 0.047) compared to cTACE. • Survival analysis showed a median survival of 13 months in the cTACE group compared to 16 months in the DSM-TACE group (p = 0.75).

Novel MR-Visible, Biodegradable Microspheres for Transcatheter Arterial Embolization: Experimental Study in a Rabbit Renal Model

PURPOSE

To assess feasibility, embolization success, biodegradability, reperfusion, biocompatibility and in vivo visibility of novel temporary microspheres (MS) for transcatheter arterial embolization.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 9 New Zealand white rabbits unilateral superselective embolization of the lower kidney pole was performed with biodegradable MS made of polydioxanone (PDO) (size range 90-300 and 200-500 µm) impregnated with super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed post-interventionally to assess in vivo visibility. Embolization success was assessed on digital subtraction angiography, MRI and gross pathology. One animal was killed immediately after embolization to assess original particle appearance. 8 animals were randomly assigned to different observation periods (1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks), after which control angiography and MRI were obtained to determine recanalization. Histopathological analysis was performed to determine biodegradability and biocompatibility by using dedicated quantitative assessment analysis.

RESULTS

Ease of injection was moderate. Embolization was technically successful in 7 of 8 animals, one rabbit received non-selective embolization of the whole kidney and abdominal off-target embolization. Arterial occlusion was achieved in all kidneys, infarct areas in macro- and microscopic analysis confirmed embolization success. Control angiograms showed evidence of partial reperfusion. The microspheres showed extensive degradation over the course of time along with increasing inflammatory response and giant cell formation. SPIO-loaded MS were visible on MRI at all time points.

CONCLUSIONS

SPIO-impregnated biodegradable PDO-MS achieved effective embolization with in vivo visibility on MRI and increasing biodegradation over time while demonstrating good biocompatibility, i.e., a physiologically immune response without transformation into chronic inflammation. Further studies are needed to provide clinical applicability.

Long-Term Implantability of Resorbable Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Chitosan Microspheres in a Rabbit Renal Arterial Embolization Model

PURPOSE

To determine the physiologic response to resorbable carboxymethyl cellulose/chitosan (CMC/CN) microspheres in a long-term rabbit model, including the clinical response, gross pathology, and histopathology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six rabbits were embolized with CMC/CN microspheres (300-500 µm) in one kidney via an inferior renal artery branch. Angiography was performed immediately before and after embolization and prior to killing at 6 months (180 ± 7 days, n = 3) and 12 months (365 ± 10 days, n = 3). A complete necropsy was performed on each animal with dissection of the kidneys and harvesting of additional tissues as per ISO-10993-part 6 and ISO-10993-part 11 guidelines. All tissues were processed and stained for pathological analysis.

RESULTS

The caudal third of target kidneys was successfully embolized with CMC/CN microspheres. Over the course of the study, there were neither notable clinical signs in either embolization group nor significant changes in the tissue/body weight ratio between 6- and 12-month time points. Gross examination revealed that all embolized kidneys had morphologic features consistent with infarction resulted from microsphere delivery. The percentage of infarction decreased from 9.1% ± 5.7% at 6 months to 1.9% ± 0.4% at 12 months. Microscopically, infarcted areas demonstrated evidence of chronic injury and repair, including loss of renal parenchyma with replacement fibrosis, tubular regeneration, and minimal to mild lymphoplasmacytic inflammation without any active changes such as necrosis or neutrophilic inflammation.

CONCLUSION

No systemic toxicity was observed in the animals 6 and 12 months after CMC/CN microspheres delivery. The local tissue response was mild.

Survival of patients with non-resectable, chemotherapy-resistant colorectal cancer liver metastases undergoing conventional lipiodol-based transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) palliatively versus neoadjuvantly prior to percutaneous thermal ablation

PURPOSE

To determine overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for cTACE alone and in combination with percutaneous thermal ablation in patients with non-resectable, chemotherapy-resistant colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 452 patients undergoing 2654 repetitive cTACE treatments of CRLM. 233 patients were treated palliatively using only cTACE, whereas 219 patients were treated with cTACE in a neoadjuvant intend with subsequent thermal ablation (either microwave ablation or laser-induced thermotherapy). The chemotherapeutics agents used, in either single-, double-, or triple-combinations, included MitomycinC, Gemcitabine, Irinotecan, and Cisplatin. Several factors were analysed to determine their prognostic value in terms of OS and PFS.

RESULTS

Palliative use of cTACE resulted in a median OS and PFS of 12.6 and 5.9 months, whereas the neoadjuvant use of cTACE showed a median OS and PFS of 25.8 and 10.8 months. The differences in OS and PFS between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Extrahepatic metastases were a significant prognostic factor in the OS and PFS analysis of the palliative and neoadjuvant group. In addition, number, location, and mean size of metastases were significant prognostic factors for OS and PFS in the neoadjuvant group. Sex, primary tumor location, T- and N-parameters of the TNM staging system, time of liver metastases appearance, ablation method, and patient age did not significantly impact OS and PFS in either patient group. The most distinct response to cTACE was observed in metastases that were treated with a triple-combination of chemotherapeutics (p = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

cTACE is an effective treatment option in advanced non-resectable CRLM. Chemoembolization followed by ablation further increases survival rates. A triple combination of chemotherapeutics improves response to cTACE.

Safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization with degradable starch microspheres (DSM-TACE) in the treatment of secondary liver malignancies

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of degradable starch microspheres (DSM) as embolic agents in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of secondary liver metastases.

Methods

This was a national, multicenter observational study. Primary endpoints were safety and treatment response according to Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria.

Results

A total of 77 DSM-TACE procedures were performed in 20 patients. Minor immediate adverse events (AEs) were epigastric pain with an incidence of 45.5% (35/77), and nausea and vomiting at an incidence of 23.4% (18/77). Delayed minor AEs were epigastric pain in 13/77 (16.9%) treatments and nausea and vomiting in 10 (13.0%) treatments. No severe AEs were documented. Therapeutic efficacy of DSM-TACE procedures according to mRECIST was as follows: complete response 0/77, partial response 17/77, stable disease 33/77 and progressive disease 6/77, no data was available for 21/77 treatments. Overall, objective response was achieved in 8 of 20 patients (40.0%).

Conclusion

DSM as embolic agent for TACE is safe in the treatment of liver metastases. An objective response in 40.0% of patients and disease control in 64.9% of procedures was achieved, and this should lead to further evaluation of DSM-TACE as treatment option for nonresectable liver metastases.

Drug-eluting embolic microspheres for local drug delivery - State of the art

Embolic microspheres or beads used in transarterial chemoembolization are an established treatment method for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The occlusion of the tumor-feeding vessels by intra-arterial injection of the beads results in tumor necrosis and shrinkage. In this short review, we describe the utility of using these beads as devices for local drug delivery. We review the latest advances in the development of non-biodegradable and biodegradable drug-eluting beads for transarterial chemoembolization. Their capability to load different drugs, such as chemotherapeutics and anti-angiogenic compounds with different physicochemical properties, like charge and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, are discussed. We specifically address controlled and sustained drug release from the microspheres, and the resulting in vivo pharmacokinetics in the plasma vs. drug distribution in the targeted tissue.

Prognostic factors for transarterial chemoembolization combined with sustained oxaliplatin-based hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy of colorectal cancer liver metastasis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prognostic factors in chemorefractory colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRCLM) patients treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and sustained hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC).

METHODS

Between 2006 and 2015, 162 patients who underwent 763 TACE and HAIC in total were enrolled in this retrospective study, including 110 males and 52 females, with a median age of 60 (range, 26-83) years. Prognostic factors were assessed with Log-rank test, Cox univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The median survival time (MST) and median progression-free survival (PFS) of the 162 patients from first TACE/HAIC were 15.6 months and 5.5 months respectively. Normal serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9, <37 U/mL) (P<0.001) and carbohydrate antigen 72-4 (CA72-4, <6.7 U/mL) (P=0.026), combination with other local treatment (liver radiotherapy or liver radiofrequency ablation) (P=0.034) and response to TACE/HAIC (P<0.001) were significant factors related to survival after TACE/HAIC in univariate analysis. A multivariate analysis revealed that normal serum CA19-9 (P<0.001), response to TACE/HAIC (P<0.001) and combination with other local treatment (P=0.001) were independent factors among them.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that serum CA19-9 <37 U/mL and response to TACE/HAIC are significant prognostic indicators for this combined treatment, and treated with other local treatment could reach a considerable survival benefit for CRCLM. This could be useful for making decisions regarding the treatment of CRCLM.

Intravital microscopic research of microembolization with degradable starch microspheres

Treatment efficacy in cancer patients using systemically applied cytostatic drugs is decreased by cytotoxic side effects, which limits the use of efficient dosages. Degradable starch microspheres (DSM) are used to apply drugs into blood vessels which supply the target organ leading to drug accumulation in the target organ by reduction of the blood flow. The present investigations show that DSM is a very effective embolization material leading to effective and enhanced accumulation of 5-FU within the liver tumor tissue of experimental induced liver cancer in rats. By using intravital microscopy, a rapid deceleration of the blood flow into the target organ is observed immediately after application of DSM. The microspheres are stepwise degraded in the direction of the systemic blood flow and are totally dissolved after 25 minutes. These stepwise processes leave the degraded material during the degradation process within the vessels leading to temporally reciprocal blood flow via some of the side-arms of the major blood vessels. By using DMS in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), severe adverse side effects like postembolization syndrome are rarely observed when compared to other embolization materials. The complete degradation of DSM causes only a short-lasting temporary vascular occlusion, which allows a repeat application of DSM in TACE.

Transarterial chemoembolization of unresectable systemic chemotherapy-refractory liver metastases from colorectal cancer: long-term results over a 10-year period

The aims of the study were to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and to determine the prognostic factors for treatment success in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). A total of 564 patients (mean age, 60.3 years) with liver metastases of CRC were repeatedly treated with TACE. In total, 3,384 TACE procedures were performed (mean, six sessions per patient). The local chemotherapy protocol consisted of mitomycin C alone (43.1%), mitomycin C with gemcitabine (27.1%), mitomycin C with irinotecan (15.6%) or mitomycin C with irinotecan and cisplatin (15.6%). Embolization was performed with lipiodol and starch microspheres. Tumor response was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. The change in tumor size was calculated and the response was evaluated according to the RECIST-Criteria. Survival rates were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors for patient's survival were evaluated using log-rank test. Evaluation of local tumor control showed partial response in 16.7%, stable disease in 48.2% and progressive disease in 16.7%. The 1-year survival rate after chemoembolization was 62%, the 2-year survival rate was 28% and the 3-year survival rate was 7%. Median survival from the start of chemoembolization treatment was 14.3 months. The indication (p = 0.001) and initial tumor response (p = 0.015) were statistically significant factors for patient's survival. TACE is a minimally invasive therapy option for controlling local metastases and improving survival time in patients with hepatic metastases from CRC. TN stage, extrahepatic metastases, number of lesions, tumor location within the liver and choice of chemotherapy protocol of TACE are none significant factors for patient's survival.

Hepatic histopathology and postoperative outcome after preoperative chemotherapy for Chinese patients with colorectal liver metastases

AIM: To assess the effects of preoperative treatment on the hepatic histology of non-tumoral liver and the postoperative outcome.

METHODS: One hundred and six patients underwent hepatic resection for colorectal metastases between 1999 and 2009. The surgical specimens were reviewed with established criteria for diagnosis and grading of pathological hepatic injury. The impact of preoperative therapy on liver injury and postoperative outcome was analyzed.

RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (50%) received surgery alone, whereas 42 patients (39.6%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 11 (10.4%) patients received preoperative hepatic artery infusion (HAI). Chemotherapy included oxaliplatin-based regimens (31.1%) and irinotecan-based regimens (8.5%). On histopathological analysis, 16 patients (15.1%) had steatosis, 31 (29.2%) had sinusoidal dilation and 20 patients (18.9%) had steatohepatitis. Preoperative oxaliplatin was associated with sinusoidal dilation compared with surgery alone (42.4% vs 20.8%, P = 0.03); however, the perioperative complication rate was not significantly different between the oxaliplatin group and surgery group (27.3% vs 13.2%, P = 0.1). HAI was associated with more steatosis, sinusoidal dilation and steatohepatitis than the surgery group, with higher perioperative morbidity (36.4% vs 13.2%, P = 0.06) and mortality (9.1% vs 0% P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION: Preoperative oxaliplatin was associated with sinusoidal dilation compared with surgery alone. However, the preoperative oxaliplatin had no significant impact on perioperative outcomes. HAI can cause pathological changes and tends to increase perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using cisplatin powder mixed with degradable starch microspheres for colorectal liver metastases after FOLFOX failure: results of a phase I/II study

PURPOSE

To report the results of a phase I/II study of a transcatheter arterial chemoembolization protocol using cisplatin powder and degradable starch microspheres (DSM) for unresectable colorectal liver metastases after failure of FOLFOX (5-flourouracil, leucovorin plus oxaliplatin) chemotherapy conducted to determine the recommended dose of cisplatin powder and to assess the efficacy and safety of the protocol.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A fine-powder formulation of cisplatin was mixed with DSM and administered via the hepatic artery every 4 weeks. In phase I, three cohorts of patients received escalating doses of cisplatin powder: 50 mg/m(2), 65 mg/m(2), and 80 mg/m(2). In phase II, tumor response, toxicity, and survival times were assessed.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 24 patients. Previously, FOLFOX had been administered to all patients, an irinotecan-containing regimen had been administered to 12 patients, and bevacizumab or cetuximab or both had been administered to 14 patients. In phase I, dose-limiting toxicity did not appear at any level, and the recommended dose of cisplatin powder was determined to be 80 mg/m(2). In phase II, a tumor response rate of 61.1% was achieved. The median hepatic progression-free survival and overall survival were 8.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.06-13.5 mo) and 21.1 months (95% CI, 8.37-33.8 mo). The following grade 3 toxicities were observed: thrombocytopenia (12.5%), aspartate transaminase elevation (33.3%), alanine transaminase elevation (12.5%), hyponatremia (8.3%), and cholecystitis (4.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with cisplatin powder at a dose of 80 mg/m(2) mixed with DSM is well tolerated and can produce a high response rate with a long survival time for patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases after failure of FOLFOX.

Advances in regional chemotherapy of the liver

INTRODUCTION

Primary and secondary liver tumors resemble some of the most common causes of cancer and represent a major clinical problem owing to the poor prognosis. First-line therapeutic concepts are mainly based on surgical resection and/or systemic chemotherapy (SCT). However, many patients are not suitable for surgery or have failed SCT, although the total tumor load is still limited, which makes a regional therapy approach appealing.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on different types of transarterial instillation of chemotherapy, which encompasses conventional and drug-eluting transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy and isolated hepatic perfusion (ILP).

EXPERT OPINION

TACE can be regarded as the treatment of choice in patients with multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma, but it should still be performed as a lipiodol-based regimen, while the value of doxorubicin-eluting beads needs to be exploited in further randomized controlled trials (RCTs). For patients with colorectal liver metastases, HAI chemotherapy has been challenged by the advent of more effective SCT, but encouraging results have been observed for the combination of the most recent, active drugs given by means of HAI with SCT. Nevertheless, data from RCTs comparing SCT with this transarterial regional therapy approach, as well as with TACE and ILP, are urgently needed.

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) with PEGylated liposomes containing 5-FU improves tumor control of liver metastases in a rat model

PURPOSE

To investigate the cytostatic effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) encapsulated in polyethylene glycol (PEG) liposomes with or without degradable starch microspheres (DSM) in a long-term trial using a rat liver tumor model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cytostatics were applied once either as a hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) or were systemically infused via the tail vein. Seven groups were compared with respect to tumor growth and survival times: 5-FU HAI (group I), 5-FU + DSM HAI (group II), PEG-5-FU HAI (group III), PEG-5-FU + DSM HAI (group IV), NaCl HAI (group V), 5-FU i.v. (group VI), and PEG-5-FU i.v. (group VII).

RESULTS

Seven and 14 days after treatment in groups III and IV, only group IV had significantly inhibited tumor growth on day 21 compared to the groups treated intravenously. On day 28, none of the animals from the intravenously treated groups were still alive compared to a significantly longer survival time of 6 and 8 weeks in groups III and IV.

CONCLUSION

Locoregional therapy with 5-fluorouracil encapsulated in PEGylated liposomes may further improve the treatment success with longer-lasting tumor regression and prolonged survival times.

Trans-arterial chemoembolization as a therapy for liver tumours: New clinical developments and suggestions for combination with angiogenesis inhibitors

The liver is the primary site of metastases for many malignancies. Gastrointestinal cancers are especially prone to spread to the liver and other tumours, as breast cancer and melanoma often spread to the liver. On the other hand, hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy in the world due to its common etiology from chronic liver damage caused by hepatitis or cirrhosis. Treatments of liver tumours vary according to histology and liver invasion and until now trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has represented a main approach in the therapy of liver tumours. This review takes into consideration: (i) the background to utilizing TACE in liver tumours; (ii) TACE methods and the biological rationale for utilizing chemotherapeutic agents coated to a new micro-particle such as DC-Beads and HepaSphere; (iii) clinical experiences employing TACE in different liver tumours; (iv) the pivotal role of angiogenesis and hypoxia-induced angiogenesis following TACE with special references to HCC. Finally, the rationale for the combination of TACE with angiogenesis inhibitors is also discussed.

Repeated transarterial chemoembolization in the treatment of liver metastases of colorectal cancer: prospective study

PURPOSE

To evaluate local tumor control and survival data after transarterial chemoembolization with different drug combinations in the palliative treatment of liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was approved by institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from all patients included in the study. A total of 463 patients (mean age, 62.5 years; range, 34.7-88.1 years) with unresectable liver metastases of colorectal cancer that did not respond to systemic chemotherapy were repeatedly treated with chemoembolization in 4-week intervals. In total, 2441 chemoembolization procedures were performed (mean, 5.3 sessions per patient). Of 463 patients, 67.4% had multiple (five or more) metastases, 8% had one metastasis, 10.4% had two metastases, and 14.3% had three or four metastases. The local chemotherapy protocol consisted of mitomycin C alone (n = 243), mitomycin C with gemcitabine (n = 153), or mitomycin C with irinotecan (n = 67). Embolization was performed with lipiodol and starch microspheres for vessel occlusion. Tumor response was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. The change in tumor size was calculated and the response was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Survival rates from first diagnosis and from first chemoembolization session were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Follow-up imaging was performed until patient death.

RESULTS

Evaluation of local tumor control resulted in partial response (68 patients [14.7%]), stable disease (223 patients [48.2%]), and progressive disease (172 patients [37.1%]). The 1-year survival rate after chemoembolization was 62%, and the 2-year survival rate was 28%. Median survival from date of diagnosis of liver metastases was 38 months and from the start of chemoembolization treatment was 14 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the three treatment protocols.

CONCLUSION

Chemoembolization is a minimally invasive therapy option for palliative treatment of liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer, with similar results among three chemoembolization protocols.

Unusual severe complication following transarterial chemoembolization for metastatic malignant melanoma: giant intrahepatic cyst and fatal hepatic failure

We describe a 45-year-old male patient with malignant melanoma who underwent hepatic arterial chemoembolization due to liver metastases. Four months after the procedure, the patient developed a giant cystic cavity in the liver. Cytologic examination of the cystic fluid retention revealed necrotic tumor material. The fluid was drained by percutaneous catheter, but the patient developed hepatic failure. This case represents another rare complication of transarterial chemoembolization and shows that transarterial chemoembolization may have rare fatal complications.

Improving laser-induced thermotherapy of liver metastases--effects of arterial microembolization and complete blood flow occlusion

INTRODUCTION

A prerequisite for an oncologically curative application of laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) of liver metastases is complete tumor destruction. This increased effectiveness was achieved experimentally by combining LITT with interrupted hepatic perfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an interventional selective arterial microembolization might be as effective as complete blood flow occlusion using an open Pringle's maneuver.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases. LITT was performed without interrupted hepatic perfusion (control group) compared to LITT in combination with interrupted perfusion either by embolization of intraarterial degradable starch microspheres (DSM) (percutaneous access) or by complete hepatic inflow occlusion (Pringle's maneuver; open access). Online monitoring was performed using intraoperative ultrasound or MRI. Volumetric techniques were used to assess metastases and postinterventional lesions.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients with 104 metastases (control group (25), DSM (37), and Pringle (42)) were treated. The preinterventional tumor volumes were significantly smaller than the postinterventional lesion volumes (control group: 9.8 vs. 25.3 cm3; DSM: 9.5 vs. 65.4 cm3; Pringle: 12.9 vs. 76.5 cm3). The morbidity rate was 21.4% without treatment-related mortalities. After 6 months follow-up, tumor recurrence was diagnosed in 6 patients (control group (4), LITT with DSM (1), and Pringle (1)).

CONCLUSIONS

Combining LITT with blood flow occlusion leads to a significant increase in lesion size. The application of DSM offers a safe and effective alternative to the open access with Pringle's maneuver. Compared to LITT-monotherapy, this modality achieves significantly larger thermal lesions with the need of fewer applications.

Colorectal liver metastases: regional chemotherapy via transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatic chemoperfusion: an update

Liver metastasis is one of the main problems encountered in colorectal cancer management as the liver is the most common metastatic site. Several treatment options are available, among which transarterial chemotherapy has proved effective in achieving some local tumour control, improving the quality of life through symptomatic control as well as survival time. The present paper is intended to provide an overview of the techniques, indications and results of regional chemotherapy, which comprises transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and chemoperfusion. This treatment approach has symptomatic, palliative, adjuvant and potentially curative objectives. We reviewed the studies involving TACE and chemoperfusion of colorectal liver metastases during the last few years to update the previous reviews published on this subject. The results achieved were so variable, due to the variations in patient selection criteria and regimens used between the different studies. The median survival ranged from 9 to 62 months and the morphological response ranged from 14 to 76%. Technical aspects, results, and complications of this modality will be demonstrated with a detailed analysis and comments.