Radiologic placement of side-hole catheter with tip fixation for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

Arterial chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in China: consensus recommendations

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) treatment is widely accepted as one of the alternative therapeutic modalities for HCC owing to its local control effect and low systemic toxicity. Nevertheless, although accumulating high-quality evidence has displayed the superior survival advantages of HAIC of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin (HAIC-FOLFOX) compared with standard first-line treatment in different scenarios, the lack of standardization for HAIC procedure and remained controversy limited the proper and safe performance of HAIC treatment in HCC. Therefore, an expert consensus conference was held on March 2023 in Guangzhou, China to review current practices regarding HAIC treatment in patients with HCC and develop widely accepted statements and recommendations. In this article, the latest evidence of HAIC was systematically summarized and the final 22 expert recommendations were proposed, which incorporate the assessment of candidates for HAIC treatment, procedural technique details, therapeutic outcomes, the HAIC-related complications and corresponding treatments, and therapeutic scheme management.

Techniques and status of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for primary hepatobiliary cancers

Primary hepatobiliary cancers (PHCs), which mainly include hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and biliary tract cancers (BTCs), are mostly diagnosed in the advanced stage and are not candidates for curative surgery or ablation, resulting in a dismal prognosis. Targeted therapies with or without programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 inhibitors have been incorporated into first-line treatments for advanced HCC. Systemic chemotherapy is still the mainstay treatment for advanced BTCs, and combining it with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors has resulted in prolonged patient survival. Intra-arterial therapies, including trans-arterial chemoembolization, selective internal radiation therapy, and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), have been explored and used for advanced hepatobiliary cancers for many years with positive results, particularly when combined with systemic treatments. Recently, an increasing number of phase II/III trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of HAIC for the treatment of advanced HCC with portal vein tumor thrombosis and/or a large tumor burden, for the neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment of HCC with high-risk factors, and for treating advanced intrahepatic and perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. However, the techniques and regimens used for HAIC are diverse and differ greatly between various regions and centers worldwide. This review focuses on these diverse techniques and regimens, as well as the updated evidence on HAIC regarding the treatment of PHCs.

Exploring a Novel Technique to Tackle the Shortage of Devices for Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy: Early Results of an Alternate Approach for Percutaneous Arterial Port Catheter Placement

Dedicated catheters for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy were removed from the market. The purpose of this study was to assess the results of a novel approach to overcome the shortage of dedicated catheters for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases. We retrospectively included patients who underwent a percutaneous placement of a hepatic intra-arterial port catheter in a single tertiary center from February 2021 to June 2022. We examined the patient baseline characteristics, technical features of the modified procedures, technical success rates, complications and oncological outcomes. Fourteen patients (median age: 60 years; q1 = 54; q3 = 70; range: 53-81 years) underwent 15 modified procedures. The main modification of our placement technique consisted of the use of an indwelling 5-Fr Vertebral catheter, on the tip of which we created a two-sided additional lateral hole. The catheter was connected to a pediatric port. The primary success rate was 100%, and the secondary success rate was 93.3%. There were two late major complications, graded IIIa according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. The median liver progression free survival was 6.1 months (q1 = 2.5; q3 = 7.2; range: 1.3-11.6). Our experience suggests that the derived utilization of the devices used routinely in interventional radiology provides an effective solution that can compensate for the shortage of dedicated devices.

Impact of aortoceliac angle in implantation of subcutaneous hepatic artery port-catheter system for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy via femoral approach

BACKGROUND

In patients with an acute aortoceliac angle, the diagnostic catheter often fails to enter the common hepatic artery.

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate the impact of aortoceliac angle on the implantation of a port-catheter system via a femoral approach for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 399 patients with advanced HCC underwent percutaneous implantation of a port-catheter system for HAIC. Among these patients, 383 underwent successful implantation via a femoral artery approach (success group). In 16 patients, port-catheter systems were implanted via a subclavian artery approach (failure group) after failure of the initial attempt via the femoral artery due to failed catheter tip fixation to the gastroduodenal artery. We statistically analyzed aortoceliac angle, ostial celiac stenosis, sex, age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) between groups.

RESULTS

The average aortoceliac angle, weight, and BMI were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001, P = 0.02, P < 0.001, respectively). Among them, only the aortoceliac angle was a significant risk factor in logistic regression analysis. The smaller the aortoceliac angle, the more often the femoral approach failed (P < 0.001, odds ratio = 0.817, 95% confidence interval = 0.752-0.887). There were no significant differences in ostial celiac stenosis, sex, or age between the two groups (P = 0.549, 0.056, 0.173, and 0.773, respectively).

CONCLUSION

For patients with an acute aortoceliac angle, the femoral approach is likely to fail. A subclavian artery approach should be preferentially considered for percutaneous implantation of a port-catheter system in such patients.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy With Folfirinox or Oxaliplatin Alone in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Background

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of chemotherapy is an option for the treatment of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer (LMCRC). Though HAI with oxaliplatin (HAI-Ox) is generally used, intravenous (IV) 5-fluoro-uracil (5FU)-oxaliplatin-irinotecan HAI (HAI-Folfirinox) is feasible and leads to curative-intent surgery in 30% of pretreated patients. We compared the efficacy and safety of HAI-Ox and HAI-Folfirinox.

Methods

Patients who underwent HAI chemotherapy for LMCRC were retrospectively included from 2008 to 2019 from six French expert centers.

Results

Data were collected from 273 previously treated patients with LMCRC. Patients received HAI-Folfirinox (n = 52) or HAI-Ox (n = 221) combined with IV chemotherapy. The objective response rate (ORR) was 43.2% in patients with HAI-Folfirinox and 45.9% (ns) in patients with HAI-Ox. Median overall survival (OS) was 17 months (95% CI: 15–32.3) with HAI-Folfirinox and 26.2 months (95% CI: 19.4–34.4; p = 0.1) with HAI-Ox. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.9 months (95% CI: 4.9–10.3) with HAI-Folfirinox and 6.4 months (95% CI: 6.0–7.7; p = 0.6) with HAI-Ox. The secondary liver resection rate was 35.6% with HAI-Folfirinox and 16.7% with HAI-Ox (p = 0.007). Grade 2 and above toxicities were significantly more frequent with HAI-Folfirinox. In the global population, only 2 factors were prognostic for OS in multivariable analyses: liver-only disease [hazard ratio (HR): 0.4; 95% CI 0.20–0.83; p = 0.013] and local complications of the catheter (HR: 3.8; 95% CI 1.6–9.0; p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Hepatic arterial infusion results in high response rates, secondary resections, and long survival in pretreated patients with LMCRC.

Signal enhancement ratio of CE-MRI: a potential biomarker of survival after hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in biliary tract cancers

Background

The association of contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) and the overall survival (OS) of biliary tract cancers (BTC) is ambiguous. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the value of signal enhancement ratio (SER) and its early change in CE-MRI as biomarkers of survival after hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in BTC.

Results

One hundred and two BTC patients treated via HAIC with 3cir-OFF regimen between January 2011 and June 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were 9.8 months [range 1.5–83.3 months, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.789–11.811] and 14.2 months (range 1.8–83.3 months, 95% CI: 11.106–17.294), respectively. The cutoff value of SER before HAIC (SER0) was 1.04, and both median PFS and OS in the SER0 ≥ 1.04 group were longer than in the SER0 < 1.04 group (median PFS: 10.5 vs. 8.5 months, p = 0.027; median OS: 23.9 vs. 12.3 months, p < 0.001). The median OS in the ΔSER > 0 group was longer than in the ΔSER < 0 group (17.3 versus 12.8 months, p = 0.029 (ΔSER means the change of SER after two cycles of HAIC). Multivariate analysis showed SER0 (p = 0.029) and HAIC treatment cycle (p = 0.002) were independent predictors of longer survival.

Conclusions

SER in CE-MRI before HAIC (SER0) is a potential biomarker for the prediction of survival after HAIC in advanced BTC.

Sorafenib Plus Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy versus Sorafenib for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Major Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis: A Randomized Trial

Background The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with major portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is dismal after standard treatment with sorafenib. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has been suggested for patients with HCC and major PVTT. Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of sorafenib plus 3cir-OFF HAIC versus sorafenib alone for advanced HCC with major PVTT. Materials and Methods This phase II trial recruited systemic treatment-naïve patients with HCC and major PVTT (portal vein invasion grade Vp3 [first branch] and Vp4 [main trunk]) between June 2017 and November 2019. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive sorafenib (400 mg twice daily) plus 3cir-OFF HAIC (35 mg/m² oxaliplatin [hours 0-2] followed by 600 mg/m² 5-fluorouracil [hours 2-24], days 1-3) with a standardized percutaneous port catheter system or sorafenib alone (400 mg twice daily) every 4 weeks. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). The secondary end points were objective response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. OS and PFS were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results The intent-to-treat population included 64 patients, with 32 in each group. The median OS was 16.3 months (95% CI: 0.0, 35.5) with sorafenib plus HAIC and 6.5 months (95% CI: 4.4, 8.6) with sorafenib alone (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.53; P < .001). A higher objective response rate (41% [n = 13] vs 3% [n = 1], P < .001) and a longer median PFS (9.0 months vs 2.5 months; HR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.47; P < .001) were observed in the sorafenib plus HAIC group. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were more frequent in the sorafenib plus HAIC group, including diarrhea (n = 7 [22%] vs n = 5 [16%]), hand-foot syndrome (n = 6 [19%] vs n = 2 [6%]), and thrombocytopenia (n = 7 [22%] vs n = 0). Conclusion Sorafenib plus 3cir-OFF hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy may be a promising treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and major portal vein tumor thrombosis because of the improved survival and an acceptable safety profile. Clinical trial registration no. NCT03009461 © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Chung in this issue.

Retrograde embolization technique of the right gastric artery during the implantation of port-catheter system for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

Objective

This study aimed to introduce and evaluate a new embolization technique for the right gastric artery (RGA) during percutaneous implantation of a port-catheter system for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC).

Methods

From January 2013 to January 2017, 159 patients with unresectable advanced liver cancer underwent percutaneous implantation of a port-catheter system. In 86 of these patients (56 men; aged 28–88 years; mean: 60.6 ​± ​12.0 years), in whom the RGA was obvious on arteriography, embolization of RGA was attempted using microcoils to protect the gastric mucosa during HAIC. In the first phase (first three years), antegrade embolization of the RGA using a 2.7 Fr microcatheter was performed in 55 patients. In the second phase (next two years), embolization of the RGA was attempted by combining antegrade embolization and retrograde embolization through the left gastric artery (LGA) in 31 patients. The success rates and the incidence of acute gastroduodenal mucosal toxicity (AGMT) in these two groups were compared.

Results

The total success rate of the RGA embolization was 70.9%. The success rate was 83.9% in 31 patients who underwent combined antegrade and retrograde embolization, which was significantly higher than that of antegrade embolization alone (63.6%) performed in 55 patients (p ​= ​0.047). No complications related to embolization of RGA were documented. The incidence of AGMT was 29.1% (16/55) in patients in the first phase, which was significantly higher than that in the patients in the second phase (9.7%, 3/31) (p ​= ​0.037).

Conclusion

A combination of retrograde embolization via LGA could increase the success rates of RGA embolization and reduce the incidence of AGMT after HAIC.

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.

Utility of a Suture-Mediated Closure System for Large Bore Arterial Access During Challenging Liver Intra-Arterial Catheters Implantation

PURPOSE

To describe and study the utility of vascular suture-mediated closure systems for large bore arterial access during challenging implantation of liver intra-arterial catheters taking as a reference the conventional procedure involving patients without challenging anatomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2017 and January 2019, 61 consecutive patients underwent 65 intra-arterial catheter IAC implantations for colorectal cancer. Twenty-three procedures (35%) considered by the operators with challenging coeliac trunk angulations were treated using a vascular suture technique where a 6-F introducer was used, the other patients were treated with a conventional 4F access technique. Clinical and radiological characteristics of patients, technical success (implantation of catheters allowing safe infusion of chemotherapy) and complications (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, CTCAE 5.0) were recorded.

RESULTS

Mean coeliac trunk angulations were 36.3° (± 14.3) for the vascular closure group and 49.6° (± 17.1) for the conventional group. Technical success of the procedures was 100% for the vascular closure group and 80% in the conventional group (p < .05). Four patients with technical failure in the conventional group had a successful IAC implantation on the second attempt using the vascular closure technique. The use of a suture-mediated closure system for large bore arterial access allowed more frequent positioning of the distal tip into the gastro duodenal artery (GDA) (p = .01). No major complication occurred.

CONCLUSION

The use of a large bore arterial access combined with a suture-mediated closure system may be useful for challenging IAC implantation without major complications.

Hepatic Artery Infusion of Floxuridine in Combination With Systemic Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Liver Metastasis: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis in Two Centers

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of hepatic artery infusion (HAI) of floxuridine (FUDR) in combination with systemic chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer liver metastases (PCLM).

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively collected clinical data of 347 patients with PCLM who underwent first-line chemotherapy at two Chinese centers between 2012 and 2019. Propensity score matching between patients with and without HAI was performed to compensate for differences in baseline characteristics. Objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS) between groups were compared. HAI pump functionality was recorded.

Results

Data of 258 patients (62 patients with HAI and 196 patients without HAI) were used for matching. After 1:1 ratio matching, 62 patients per group were included. The intrahepatic ORR was 66.1% in the HAI group and 22.6% in the non-HAI group (P < 0.001), and the extrahepatic ORR was 25.0 versus 28.9% (P = 0.679). The median OS was significantly longer in HAI group (14.0 versus 10.8 months, P = 0.001). Multivariance COX regression showed HAI led to a decrease in hazard ratio for death by 61.8% (HR = 0.382; 95% CI: 0.252–0.578; P< 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients without EHM, with higher intrahepatic tumor burden and with synchronous liver metastasis benefited more from HAI. Dysfunction of HAI pump occurred in 5.7% of patients during the period of follow-up.

Conclusions

In patients with PCLM, first-line treatment with HAI FUDR plus SCT resulted in higher intrahepatic response and better OS.

Percutaneous Implantation of a Microcatheter-Port System for Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy of Unresectable Liver Tumors: Technical Feasibility, Functionality, and Complications

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of percutaneously implanted arterial port catheter systems for hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy (HAI) in patients with unresectable liver malignancies. From October 2010 to August 2018, arterial port catheters for HAI were percutaneously implanted in 43 patients with unresectable liver malignancies. Three different catheter placement techniques were compared: a conventional end-hole catheter placed in the common hepatic artery (technique 1, n = 16), a side-hole catheter with the tip fixed in the gastroduodenal artery (technique 2, n = 18), and a long-tapered side-hole catheter with the tip inserted distally in a segmental hepatic artery (technique 3, n = 6). Catheter implantation was successful in 40 (93%) of the 43 patients. Complications related to catheter placement were observed in 10 (23%) patients; 5 (83%) of the 6 major complications were resolved, as well as all 4 minor complications. Catheter migration and occlusion occurred in 9 (22.5%) patients. Catheter migration was more frequent with technique 1 (n = 6) than with technique 2 (n = 1), although the difference was not significant (p = 0.066). Percutaneous arterial port catheter implantation for HAI is highly feasible and carries a low risk of complications.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy with Oxaliplatin and 5-Fluorouracil for Advanced Gallbladder Cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil for patients with advanced gallbladder cancer (GBC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients with advanced GBC, who underwent HAIC with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil from January 2012 to July 2019, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The HAIC regimen consisted of infusions of oxaliplatin at 40 mg/m² for 2 h, followed by 5-fluorouracil at 800 mg/m² for 22 h on days 1-3 every 3-4 weeks. A maximum of six cycles of HAIC were applied for tumor control patients followed by maintenance with oral capecitabine or S-1. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), tumor response, and adverse events were investigated.

RESULTS

Six of the 26 patients (23.1%) had failed systemic chemotherapy, 8/26 (30.8%) patients had failed various local therapies, and 9/26 (34.6%) patients had contraindications to systemic chemotherapy. The median OS was 13.5 months, and the median PFS was 10.0 months. The overall response rate was 69.2% (18/26), and disease control rate was 92.3% (24/26). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) ≥ 10 U/ml (p = 0.003) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) ≥ 200 U/ml (p = 0.000) were independent risk factors for decreased survival. The most frequent Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse event was liver dysfunction (4, 15.4%).

CONCLUSION

HAIC with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil is an acceptable and well-tolerated treatment for advanced gallbladder cancer even for patients in whom systemic chemotherapy had failed or is contraindicated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 2, Observation Study with Dramatic Effect.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy of 5-Fluorouracil for Patients with Unresectable Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer Refractory to Standard Systemic Chemotherapy: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is a feasible treatment for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) with unresectable liver metastases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess HAIC of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in patients with unresectable liver metastases from CRC refractory to standard systemic chemotherapy.

METHODS

A total of 137 patients (85 men, 52 women; median age, 62 years; with KRAS mutation, n = 57) were recruited from seven institutions from September 2008 to December 2015. These patients were refractory to systemic chemotherapy including three cytotoxic agents (fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan) with two molecular-targeted agents (bevacizumab and epidermal growth factor receptor antibody [cetuximab or panitumumab]). All patients underwent HAIC of continuous 5FU for unresectable liver metastases. Overall survival time, time to treatment failure, objective response rate, disease control rate, and incidence of adverse events to HAIC were assessed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The median overall survival time was 4.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.0-5.7 months), whereas time to treatment failure was 2.4 months (95% CI, 2.0-2.8 months). The objective overall response rate and disease control rate were 12.4 and 64%, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were observed in 2.9% of the patients (hyperbilirubinemia in 2, liver abscess in 1, and myelosuppression in 1).

CONCLUSIONS

There were few incidences of severe adverse events to HAIC of 5FU for liver metastases from CRC refractory to standard systemic chemotherapy. Therefore, it might present as a treatment option as last-line chemotherapy.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients With Resistance to Standard Systemic Chemotherapies

BACKGROUND/AIM

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is a treatment option for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients with extensive liver metastasis (LM); however, the appropriate regimen and the treatment effects have not been discussed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HAIC with the 5-FU, epirubicin, and mitomycin-C (FEM) regimen.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed MBC patients with critical LM who were resistant to standard systemic chemotherapies and had received HAIC with an FEM regimen.

RESULTS

We identified 57 patients who received HAIC between 2003 and 2017. The patient characteristics were as follows: i) median age=56 (30-80), and ii) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, 0/1/2=43/11/3. The median number of LMs was 8 (range 1 to ≥20), the median diameter of LM was 5.2 cm (range=1.6 to 20.1). The median overall survival from the initiation of HAIC was 11.3 months (95% confidence interval=8.5-15.6). The objective response rate of LM was 63%.

CONCLUSION

HAIC with an FEM regimen is an effective salvage treatment for MBC patients with advanced LM.

Hepatic artery infusion pump for nasopharyngeal carcinoma with liver metastasis

To evaluate the benefits and risks of hepatic artery infusion (HAI) gemcitabine and floxuridine (FUDR) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma liver metastases. HAI catheter systems were implanted under the guide of digital subtract angiography (DSA) in 16 patients with unresectable nasopharyngeal carcinoma liver metastases. HAI gemcitabine and FUDR in combination with radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy were delivered. Disease control rate (DCR) of intrahepatic lesions is 100%, objective response rate (ORR) of intrahepatic lesions is 87.5%, including 4 patients (25%) with complete response (CR), 10 patients (62.5%) with partial response (PR) and 2 patients (12.5%) with stable disease (SD). The median overall survival (mOS) was 30 months. There was no significant difference between patients with < 9 intrahepatic lesions and patients with ≥ 9 intrahepatic lesions (31 months vs. 24 months, P = 0.562). Patients without extrahepatic metastases has longer survival than patients with extrahepatic metastases (31 months vs. 17 months, P = 0.005). In all 72 cycles of HAI, the main grade 3/4 toxicities related to HAI include: leukopenia occur in 8 cycles (11.1%), thrombocytopenia in 5 cycles (6.9%), AST/ALT elevation in 12 cycles (16.7). Catheter related complications occurred in 2 patients (12.5%). HAI gemcitabine and FUDR is effective to improve DCR of intrahepatic lesions and prolong mOS for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma liver metastases, and is associated with a relative low rate of toxicity.

Development of Repeatable Microcatheter Access Port for Intra-arterial Therapy of Liver Cancer

PURPOSE

To develop an implantable port in which a microcatheter can be inserted for a combination therapy of repeated transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for advanced liver cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The design of a currently used implantable port was modified. A funnel part was constructed in the port. The septum was punctured by a 20-gauge indwelling needle, and 2.0-Fr non-tapered microcatheter was inserted into the port. In the in vitro studies, the advance of a microcatheter out of the funnel part was evaluated via seven different septum puncture sites. A 5-Fr indwelling catheter connected to the port was placed in a vascular model, and a microcatheter catheterization was evaluated. In an in vivo study, the port-catheter system was implanted in the hepatic artery in a pig. A microcatheter was percutaneously inserted through the port into the hepatic arterial branches, and embolization was performed.

RESULTS

In the in vitro studies, the microcatheter was smoothly advanced out of the port and catheterizations into the hepatic arteries were successful via all septum puncture sites. In the in vivo study, repeated selective embolization through the port was successfully conducted on 7, 14 and 21 days after the implantation.

CONCLUSION

The developed implantable port can be used for repeated catheter insertion into the hepatic artery. The combination of repeated TACE and HAIC could be possible using this device.

Intra-arterial therapies for colorectal cancer liver metastases (radioembolization excluded)

During the past 20 years, advances in systemic therapies have improved overall survival of patients with Colorectal cancer Liver metastases (CRLM) from 6 to 24 months. By reaching CRLM via their preferential arterial vascularization, hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy (HAIC) has demonstrated improvement in response rate and deepness of response. Improvement in deepness of response is potentially helpful to convert no surgical patient to surgery. Recent HAIC regimens, including HAIC-FUDR plus systemic oxaliplatin/irinotecan, or HAIC-oxaliplatin plus systemic 5FU and cetuximab yielded a 92% and 90% response rate respectively, and conversion to R0 surgery in 47% and 42% of patients, respectively. When HAIC delivered a drug ineffective through intravenous delivery, this rechallenge provided 62% response rate for HAIC. Nowadays, port-catheter implanted percutaneously by radiologists has 95% feasibility with primary patency equivalent to that of surgically implanted catheters, and secondary patency superior after radiologic revision. Retrospective studies demonstrated prolonged DFS of HAIC over IV chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting after surgery of CRLM. Drug eluting beads loaded with irinotecan (DEBIRI) were developed as drug carrier and embolization platform for treatment of CRLM by chemoembolization. DEBIRI allows for a very high level of SN-38 (SN-38 is the active compound of irinotecan) and a very high rate of complete l response at pathologic studies of treated metastases. DEBIRI was compared to systemic FOLFIRI in a phase III randomized trial including 74 patients with benefit in overall survival and disease-free survival.

First-line treatment with hepatic arterial infusion plus capecitabine vs capecitabine alone for elderly patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of HAI fluoropyrimidine (FUDR)/capecitabine or single capecitabine as first-line treatment for elderly patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CLMs). Fifty-one elderly patients with liver-only CLMs were eligible for enrollment. Patients were divided into HAI FUDR /capecitabine group and single capecitabine group randomly. The primary endpoint was median survival time (MST), defined as the time from the date of catheter implantation to the date of death or the date of the last follow-up. The secondary endpoint was objective antitumor response and adverse events. The HAI pump was implanted before chemotherapy. All patients received a 3-week cycle of oral capecitabin. In Group A, the RR and DCR were both 95.8%. In Group B, the RR and DCR were 48.1% and 81.5%, respectively. There was significant difference between the RRs of the 2 groups (P < 0.001). But there was no significant difference between the DCRs of the 2 groups (P = 0.053). There was a statistical difference between the MSTs of the 2 groups (18.5 vs.13 months, P = 0.0312). HAI FUDR combined with oral capecitabine as the first-line treatment for elderly patients with CLMs has promising efficacy and safety.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using fluorouracil, epirubicin, and mitomycin C for patients with liver metastases from gastric cancer after treatment failure of systemic S-1 plus cisplatin

BACKGROUND

For patients with liver metastases from gastric cancer (LMGC), combination chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidines and platinum agents has been recognized as standard treatment. However, the prognosis of hepatic progression after first-line treatment failure remains poor. When hepatic progression occurs, hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy may be helpful for preventing disease progression.

PURPOSE

To retrospectively assess the feasibility and efficacy of HAI chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and mitomycin C (FEM) for patients with LMGC after failure of systemic S-1 plus cisplatin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We reviewed the records of patients who received HAI chemotherapy using FEM for LMGC that progressed during systemic S-1 plus cisplatin treatment while extrahepatic disease was decreased or did not appear. HAI chemotherapy was given as second-line therapy using 5-fluorouracil (330 mg/m(2) weekly), epirubicin (30 or 40 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks), and mitomycin C (2.7 mg/m(2) biweekly).

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were analyzed. Toxicity of HAI chemotherapy was generally mild. The objective response rate was 42.9%, including a complete response rate of 14.3%. Median times to hepatic and extrahepatic progression were 9.2 and 7.4 months, respectively. Of 12 patients with documented progression after HAI chemotherapy, 10 patients (83.3%) received additional treatment, including irinotecan or taxanes. Overall, median survival was 12.7 months.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that HAI chemotherapy using FEM is a feasible and effective treatment for patients with LMGC after failure of systemic S-1 plus cisplatin. HAI chemotherapy employed in the second-line setting is useful for achieving long-term disease control of LMGC.

Endovascular Treatment of Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm after Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Risk Factors Associated with Mortality and Complications

PURPOSE

To evaluate risk factors predicting death and complications of primary therapy for hepatic and gastric duodenal artery pseudoaneurysms following endovascular treatment (EVT) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between April 2004 and December 2014, 28 patients (mean age, 64.7 y) with post-PD hemorrhage underwent EVT. Prevention of hepatic artery blockage via stents or side-holed catheter grafts was stratified in cases without a replaced hepatic artery. Mortality and major hepatic complications following EVT were evaluated according to age; sex; surgery-EVT interval; presence of portal vein stenosis, shock, and coagulopathy at EVT onset; and post-EVT angiographic findings.

RESULTS

All hemorrhages were successfully treated with microcoils (n = 17; 61%), covered stents (n = 1; 3%), bare stent-assisted coil embolization (n = 5; 18%), or catheter grafts with coil embolization (n = 5; 18%). Hepatic arterial flow was observed after EVT in 18 patients (64%). Mortality and major hepatic complication rates were 28.6% and 32.1%, respectively. Hemorrhagic shock and coagulopathy at EVT onset (n = 8 each; odds ratio [OR], 27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1-235.7; P < .01) were significantly associated with mortality. Coagulopathy at EVT onset (adjusted OR [aOR], 48.1; 95% CI, 3.2-2,931), portal vein stenosis (n = 16; aOR, 16.9; 95% CI, 1.3-721.9), and no visualization of hepatopetal flow through the hepatic arteries (n = 10; aOR, 29.5; 95% CI, 2.1-1,477) were significantly associated with major hepatic complications.

CONCLUSIONS

EVT should be performed as soon as possible before the development of shock or coagulopathy. Hepatic arterial flow visualization decreases major hepatic complications.

Adjuvant Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy After Resection for Pancreatic Cancer Using Coaxial Catheter-Port System Compared with Conventional System

PURPOSE

Previous reports have shown the effectiveness of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in pancreatic cancer. However, percutaneous catheter placement is technically difficult after pancreatic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of HAIC using a coaxial technique compared with conventional technique for postoperative pancreatic cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

93 consecutive patients who received percutaneous catheter-port system placement after pancreatectomy were enrolled. In 58 patients from March 2006 to August 2010 (Group A), a conventional technique with a 5-Fr indwelling catheter was used and in 35 patients from September 2010 to September 2012 (Group B), a coaxial technique with a 2.7-Fr coaxial catheter was used.

RESULTS

The overall technical success rates were 97.1 % in Group B and 86.2 % in Group A. In cases with arterial tortuousness and stenosis, the success rate was significantly higher in Group B (91.7 vs. 53.8 %; P = 0.046). Fluoroscopic and total procedure times were significantly shorter in Group B: 14.7 versus 26.7 min (P = 0.001) and 64.8 versus 80.7 min (P = 0.0051), respectively. No differences were seen in the complication rate. The 1 year liver metastasis rates were 9.9 % using the conventional system and 9.1 % using the coaxial system (P = 0.678). The overall median survival time was 44 months. There was no difference in the survival period between two systems (P = 0.312).

CONCLUSIONS

The coaxial technique is useful for catheter placement after pancreatectomy, achieving a high success rate and reducing fluoroscopic and procedure times, while maintaining the safety and efficacy for adjuvant HAIC in pancreatic cancer.

Minimal invasive treatments for liver malignancies

Minimal invasive therapies have proved useful in the management of primary and secondary hepatic malignancies. The most relevant aspects of all these therapies are their minimal toxicity profiles and highly effective tumor responses without affecting the normal hepatic parenchyma. These unique characteristics coupled with their minimally invasive nature provide an attractive therapeutic option for patients who previously may have had few alternatives. Combination of these therapies might extend indications to bring curative treatment to a wider selected population. The results of various ongoing combination trials of intraarterial therapies with targeted therapies are awaited to further improve survival in this patient group. This review focuses on the application of ablative and intra-arterial therapies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic colorectal metastasis.

Representative Sinusoids for Hepatic Four-Scale Pharmacokinetics Simulations

The mammalian liver plays a key role for metabolism and detoxification of xenobiotics in the body. The corresponding biochemical processes are typically subject to spatial variations at different length scales. Zonal enzyme expression along sinusoids leads to zonated metabolization already in the healthy state. Pathological states of the liver may involve liver cells affected in a zonated manner or heterogeneously across the whole organ. This spatial heterogeneity, however, cannot be described by most computational models which usually consider the liver as a homogeneous, well-stirred organ.

The goal of this article is to present a methodology to extend whole-body pharmacokinetics models by a detailed liver model, combining different modeling approaches from the literature. This approach results in an integrated four-scale model, from single cells via sinusoids and the organ to the whole organism, capable of mechanistically representing metabolization inhomogeneity in livers at different spatial scales. Moreover, the model shows circulatory mixing effects due to a delayed recirculation through the surrounding organism.

To show that this approach is generally applicable for different physiological processes, we show three applications as proofs of concept, covering a range of species, compounds, and diseased states: clearance of midazolam in steatotic human livers, clearance of caffeine in mouse livers regenerating from necrosis, and a parameter study on the impact of different cell entities on insulin uptake in mouse livers.

The examples illustrate how variations only discernible at the local scale influence substance distribution in the plasma at the whole-body level. In particular, our results show that simultaneously considering variations at all relevant spatial scales may be necessary to understand their impact on observations at the organism scale.

Hepatic arterial infusion plus systemic chemotherapy as third-line or later treatment in colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUNDS

The present study aimed to evaluate benefit of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI) combined with systemic chemotherapy (SCT) for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLMs) in a palliative setting.

METHODS

This was a retrospective single-center study including 43 consecutive patients with CLM after failure of standard SCT. Among them, 20 (47 %) patients underwent HAI combined with SCT (Group A) and 23 historical control patients who had received SCT with or without targeted agent treatment (Group B).

RESULTS

The two groups had similar characteristics. Compared with SCT alone, HAI combined with SCT prolonged survival (median 19.8 vs. 9.0 months; P = 0.045). Median hepatic progression-free survival was significantly longer for HAI combined with SCT vs. SCT alone (median 8.1 vs. 4.7 months; P = 0.027), as were response rates (25 and 0 %; P = 0.038) and progression-free survival (median 5.7 vs. 3.0 months; P = 0.02). Three patients (15 %) achieved conversion to potentially curative surgery. Grade 3/4 toxicities for Group A and Group B were neutropenia (5 and 8.7 %, respectively), anemia (5 and 0 %, respectively), and hyperbilirubinemia (0 and 4.3 %, respectively). Other complications were mostly grade 1 or 2.

CONCLUSIONS

HAI combined with SCT treatment can improve overall survival compared with SCT alone in highly advanced CLM refractory to intravenous chemotherapy.

Side-Hole Catheter Placement with Fixation and Embolization in Common Hepatic Artery for Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy (Modified CHA-Coil Method) for Patients with Celiac Artery Stenosis or Occlusion

PURPOSE

We retrospectively assessed the feasibility of a side-hole catheter placement with fixation and embolization in the common hepatic artery (CHA) (modified CHA-coil method) for hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HAI catheter placement was attempted with modified CHA-coil method in five patients with unresectable hepatic malignancies between 2000 and 2013. The reason for using this method, the mode of catheter placement, and the duration of HAI were investigated.

RESULTS

All patients had either occlusion or stenosis of the celiac artery (CA) or CHA, and, as a result, CHA blood flow had either reversed or decreased and hepatopetal GDA flow was observed. In three patients, the proper hepatic artery was extremely short. The side-hole catheter was inserted through the left subclavian artery and was placed from CA to the right gastroepiploic artery in an anterograde manner (n = 4) and from the superior mesenteric artery to the splenic artery in a retrograde manner through GDA (n = 1). The side hole of the catheter was positioned at the proximal portion of GDA. Using a separate catheter inserted from the right femoral artery, coils were placed around the indwelling catheter of CHA to embolize CHA and to fix the catheter. Coil mislocation was not observed, and catheter placement was successful in all patients. HAI chemotherapy was administered for a median of 136 days. The catheter displacement was not observed during HAI.

CONCLUSION

The modified CHA-coil method can be used as a stable method for catheter placement when CHA is narrow or there is retrograde CHA blood flow.

Phase II study on hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using percutaneous catheter placement techniques for liver metastases from colorectal cancer (JFMC28 study)

AIM

This prospective multicenter study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using percutaneous catheter placement techniques for liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

We administered 5-fluorouracil at 1000 mg/m2 over 5 h via hepatic arterial infusion on a weekly schedule. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (RR). The secondary endpoints were the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicities.

RESULTS

Between February 2000 and March 2002, seventy-seven eligible patients were enrolled in this study. After a median of 26 treatment cycles, 4 patients achieved a complete response, 29 achieved a partial response, 28 had stable disease, 15 had progressive disease and the status of one patient was unknown. The overall RR was 42.9% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 79.2%. The median PFS and OS times were 203 and 560 days, respectively. The most common grade 3 or 4 hematological and non-hematological toxicities were total bilirubin level elevation (10.4%) and gamma-glutamyl transferase level elevation (10.4%). With regard to the relationship between the background factors and treatment outcomes, the DCR, RR, PFS and OS were different between patients with and without extrahepatic lesions (DCR: 86.5% vs 64%, RR: 46.2% vs 36.0%, PFS: 233 days vs 99 days, OS: 587 days vs 558 days).

CONCLUSION

The primary endpoint of this study was not met. HAIC using percutaneous catheter placement techniques did not improve the RR for liver metastasis from CRC.

Prospective randomized trial comparing pushable coil and detachable coil during percutaneous implantation of port-catheter system for hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy

The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare the efficacy and controllability of pushable coil and detachable coil during embolization of gastroduodenal artery (GDA) while performing percutaneous implantation of port-catheter system for hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy. Fifty patients (M:F = 42:8, age: 31-81 years) with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing port-catheter system implantation were randomized into pushable coil group and detachable coil group. During catheter fixation, GDA was embolized as close to the origin as possible. Success rate, number of coils used, number of coils removed due to malposition after deployment, time to occlusion, uncoiled GDA length, pushability, and complications were compared. Pushability was graded as no tension, slight tension, and difficult to advance. Embolization was successful in 49 patients. One failure resulted from repeated regurgitation of pushable coil into hepatic artery. Number of coils used and removed coils, time to occlusion, and uncoiled GDA length were 1-3 (mean 2.32), 5 coils in 3 patients, 4-20 min (mean 8.00), and 0-15.0 mm (mean 3.36) in pushable coil group, and 1-5 (mean 2.12), 2 coils in 2 patients, 2-15 min (mean 7.40), and 0-10.2 mm (mean 2.92) in detachable coil group, respectively, without significant difference. Pushability was no tension (n = 24) and slight tension (n = 1) in pushable coil group and no tension (n = 16), slight tension (n = 7), and difficult to advance (n = 2) in detachable coil group. One hepatic artery dissection occurred in the failed case during coil removal. Pushable coils and detachable coils had similar efficacy and controllability during GDA embolization, although there was a trend favoring detachable coil.

Guidelines for the use of NBCA in vascular embolization devised by the Committee of Practice Guidelines of the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology (CGJSIR), 2012 edition

Cyanoacrylates are a group of fast-acting adhesives. They form low viscosity liquids in the monomer state and instantly polymerize to become adhesive upon contact with ionic substances. Since the 1950s, they have been used around the world for industrial and household purposes. N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) is a cyanoacrylate that is commonly used for medical care, and the closure of skin wounds with NBCA has been found to promote hemostasis. However, in Japan, the intravascular injection of NBCA is considered to be off-label use, except during the treatment of gastric varices under endoscopy. The use of NBCA in embolotherapy is considered when the target vessels cannot be cannulated superselectively, for vascular diseases that require long segments of the target vessel to be embolized, or for patients in a hypocoagulable state. NBCA-based embolotherapy can be used to treat vascular malformations, acute hemorrhaging, tumors, and venous disease. The complications associated with NBCA-based embolotherapy include tissue ischemia, hemorrhaging, systemic or local reactions, and catheter adhesion to blood vessels. NBCA is mixed with Lipiodol to make it radiopaque and to adjust its polymerization time. Since there are various technical aspects to performing NBCA-based embolotherapy safely, it should be carried out by, or with the assistance of, proficient interventional radiologists.

Locoregional therapies for metastatic colorectal carcinoma to the liver--an evidence-based review

The liver is the most common visceral site of colorectal cancer metastasis and recurrence. Given that only 25% of patients with colorectal liver metastases are amenable to curative surgical resection at initial diagnosis, locoregional intra-arterial therapies including hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, conventional transarterial chemoembolization, drug-eluting-bead transarterial chemoembolization, and radioembolization have increasingly developed as viable treatment options. The rationale, efficacy, safety, and toxicity of each of these therapies are reviewed and stratified based on current evidence.

Unresectable colorectal liver metastases: the safety and efficacy of conversion therapy using hepatic arterial infusion immunochemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and polyethylene glycol-interferon α-2a

BACKGROUND

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) or systemic chemotherapy has been used to treat unresectable colorectal liver metastases. The prognosis of the disease in recent years has been improved because chemotherapy is performed before hepatectomy to reduce tumor size (conversion therapy). The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of conversion therapy following HAI immunochemotherapy.

METHODS

Hepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/polyethylene glycol (PEG)-IFNα-2a was performed in 21 patients. The primary endpoint was the safety of HAI and hepatectomy. The secondary endpoints were response rate, rate of conversion to hepatectomy, survival rate, and prognostic factors.

RESULTS

With regard to side effects, drugs were discontinued temporarily in one patient because of a decrease in white blood cell count; however, other patients continued chemotherapy. The response rate with HAI was 61.9 %, and the conversion rate was 38.1 %. Hepatectomy was completed successfully without mortality. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 11.5 months (with and without conversion, 16.7 and 4.8 months, respectively; p = 0.021). Median overall survival was 34.6 months (with and without conversion, 48.4 and 26.6 months, respectively; p = 0.003). Prognosis was poor when the number of metastatic tumors was ≥10 [PFS: hazard ratio (HR) 32.21, p = 0.003; overall survival (OS): HR 9.13, p = 0.07], but prognosis improved after hepatectomy (OS: HR 0.08, p = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic arterial infusion immunochemotherapy with 5-FU/PEG-IFNα-2a was performed safely without major side effects. Prognosis is expected to improve after successful conversion to hepatectomy.

Spatio-temporal simulation of first pass drug perfusion in the liver

The liver is the central organ for detoxification of xenobiotics in the body. In pharmacokinetic modeling, hepatic metabolization capacity is typically quantified as hepatic clearance computed as degradation in well-stirred compartments. This is an accurate mechanistic description once a quasi-equilibrium between blood and surrounding tissue is established. However, this model structure cannot be used to simulate spatio-temporal distribution during the first instants after drug injection. In this paper, we introduce a new spatially resolved model to simulate first pass perfusion of compounds within the naive liver. The model is based on vascular structures obtained from computed tomography as well as physiologically based mass transfer descriptions obtained from pharmacokinetic modeling. The physiological architecture of hepatic tissue in our model is governed by both vascular geometry and the composition of the connecting hepatic tissue. In particular, we here consider locally distributed mass flow in liver tissue instead of considering well-stirred compartments. Experimentally, the model structure corresponds to an isolated perfused liver and provides an ideal platform to address first pass effects and questions of hepatic heterogeneity. The model was evaluated for three exemplary compounds covering key aspects of perfusion, distribution and metabolization within the liver. As pathophysiological states we considered the influence of steatosis and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver necrosis on total hepatic distribution and metabolic capacity. Notably, we found that our computational predictions are in qualitative agreement with previously published experimental data. The simulation results provide an unprecedented level of detail in compound concentration profiles during first pass perfusion, both spatio-temporally in liver tissue itself and temporally in the outflowing blood. We expect our model to be the foundation of further spatially resolved models of the liver in the future.

Surgical or percutaneous hepatic artery cannulation for chemotherapy

The principle underlying administration of hepatic arterial chemotherapy (HACT) is to increase the local concentration of cytotoxic chemotherapy while limiting systemic toxicity. The chemotherapy agent is infused into the hepatic artery distal to branches that serve the stomach, duodenum, and pancreas. The intra-arterial catheter is connected to a subcutaneously implanted reservoir to allow repeated sessions of chemotherapy. Percutaneous placement is now a reliable and reproducible technique in the hands of well-trained interventional radiologists. Hepatic arterial cannulation by an open surgical approach is currently reserved for cases where the decision for HACT is made in the course of an hepatic surgical procedure.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy by the fixed-catheter-tip method: retrospective comparison of percutaneous left subclavian and femoral port-catheter system implantation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare the subclavian and femoral approaches to a fixed-catheter-tip method of implantation of a port-catheter system for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with respect to complications and dysfunctions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between April 2006 and April 2012, 153 patients (104 men, 49 women; age range, 23-82 years; mean, 65 years) with unresectable malignant liver tumors underwent percutaneous implantation of indwelling port-catheter systems by the fixed-catheter-tip method via the left subclavian or femoral artery. The success of implantation and outcome of complications were investigated and compared between these approach routes.

RESULTS

The overall technical success rate of port-catheter system implantation with the fixed-catheter-tip method was 99% (152 of 153 patients). Seventy-five patients underwent implantation with a port-catheter system via the left subclavian artery, and 77 patients via the femoral artery. Catheter dislocation occurred in 3.9% of the patients; hepatic artery obstruction, 2.6%; catheter occlusion, 3.9%; bleeding at the puncture site, 3.9%; cerebral infarction, 1.3%; and infection related to port-catheter implantation, 2.6%. No significant differences in complications and port-catheter system dysfunction between the left subclavian and femoral approaches to port-catheter system implantation with the fixed-catheter-tip method were seen in any of the parameters. In addition, cerebral infarction occurred exclusively with the left subclavian approach, whereas infection occurred exclusively with the femoral approach.

CONCLUSION

Implantation of the port-catheter system with the fixed-catheter-tip method is equally feasible via both the left subclavian and the femoral approaches.

Repeated bland-TAE using small microspheres injected via an implantable port-catheter system for liver metastases: an initial experience

PURPOSE

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of repeated bland-TAE using small-size microspheres for liver metastases. To date, there have been no publications as to whether bland-TAE could be effective for nonhypervascular liver tumors.

METHODS

Bland-TAE with 100-μm, calibrated microspheres was performed in two chemoresistant patients: one with colorectal metastases and the other with gastric metastases. Both patients had multiple tumors in the entire liver. An implantable port-catheter system was placed in the hepatic artery to conduct repeated embolizations, thereby achieving enough efficacies. Microspheres were injected via the port until the disappearance of the tumor stains. Angiographies via the port were conducted 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after bland-TAE to evaluate the patency of the hepatic artery.

RESULTS

The hepatic artery started to recanalize 1 day after TAE and tumor stains appeared again during the 14 days. In both patients, bland-TAE was repeated four times in intervals of 14-21 days. The enhanced CTs showed necrotic changes and the decrease in size of the tumors. The serum CEA level decreased from 2,989 to 70 ng/ml and from 174 to 48 ng/ml, respectively. Bilomas and a liver abscess developed as complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated bland-TAE using 100-μm microspheres injected via an implantable port-catheter system could be effective for liver metastases, although the caution of biliary injury is needed.

Interventional oncologic approaches to liver metastases

Metastatic liver disease is the most common cause of death in cancer patients. Complete surgical resection is currently considered the only curative treatment, with only about 25% of patients being amenable to surgery. Therefore, a variety of interventional oncologic techniques have been developed for treating secondary liver malignancies. The aim of these therapies is either to allow patients with unresectable tumors to become surgical candidates, provide curative treatment options in nonsurgical candidates, or improve survival in a palliative or even curative approach. Among these interventional therapies are transcatheter therapies such as portal vein embolization, hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy, transarterial chemoembolization, and radioembolization, as well as interstitial techniques, particularly radiofrequency ablation as the most commonly applied technique. The rationale, application and clinical results of each of these techniques are reviewed on the basis of the current literature. Future prospects such as gene therapy and immunotherapy are introduced.

Dual-phase CT angiography through the port-catheter system for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using multislice CT: assessment of system dysfunction and impact on predicting clinical problems

BACKGROUND

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy is being explored for treatment of malignant liver tumors. Maintenance of HAI systems is important for effective treatment.

PURPOSE

To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of dual-phase CT angiography through the port-catheter system for HAI chemotherapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study enrolled 47 patients receiving HAI chemotherapy for malignant liver tumors who underwent dual-phase CT angiography through the port-catheter system using multislice CT. Using maximum intensity projection images reconstructed from vascular-phase CT imaging, hepatic arterial patency and catheter location were assessed. Using a combination of vascular- and perfusion-phase CT imaging, system dysfunction and clinical problems were evaluated.

RESULTS

Dual-phase CT angiography was conducted 156 times. Stenosis and obstruction of the hepatic artery and catheter dislodgment were observed seven times in four patients and four times in three patients, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy using vascular-phase CT imaging was 100%. In addition, development of collateral blood supply to the liver and extrahepatic perfusion to the stomach were observed three times in three patients and twice in two patients, respectively. Overall, system dysfunction occurred 16 times in 12 patients, and system correction and treatment modification were required 11 times in 10 patients. In assessing system dysfunction and predicting clinical problems, the accuracy of dual-phase CT imaging was 100%.

CONCLUSION

Dual-phase CT angiography through the port-catheter system is helpful for assessing catheter system dysfunction and predicting clinical problems in HAI chemotherapy.

Clinical trials of interventional oncology

Interventional oncology has great potential to be a good treatment modality in the field of oncology, because its procedures are minimally invasive and fairly quick. However, except for a few procedures such as percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and trans-catheter arterial chemo-embolization that have been recognized as standard treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma, most procedures have not been established as the standard treatment modality due to the limited number of clinical trials with compelling evidence. There are several common problems when performing clinical trials of interventional oncology. The first is that the outcomes of clinical trials are greatly influenced by the level of technical skill of the physicians. The second is that equipment and devices vary widely in countries and regions, and they also influence the outcomes. The third is that the methodology of clinical trials for techniques such as interventional oncology has not yet been established. The fourth is the difficulty of setting appropriate endpoints; quality of life is suitable for evaluating interventional oncology in palliative care, but it is not easy to set as the endpoint. The fifth is the difficulty of employing a blinded design, because the procedure cannot be performed without the physician's awareness. Despite such difficult situations, many multi-institutional clinical trials of interventional oncology have been carried out in Japan, with some challenging results. Establishing evidence is critical to making interventional oncology the standard treatment. Interventional radiologists should know the importance of clinical trials, and should move ahead in this direction in a step-by-step manner.

Radiological catheter placement for transcatheter arterial steroid injection therapy to treat severe acute hepatic failure: technical feasibility and efficacy

BACKGROUND

Severe acute hepatic failure (SAHF), which progresses to fulminant form in some cases, is a life-threatening disease.

PURPOSE

To assess the technical feasibility and the efficacy of transcatheter arterial steroid injection therapy (TASIT) for SAHF.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with SAHF, 10 of whom had variant anatomy of the hepatic artery, underwent radiologic placement of an indwelling catheter in the hepatic artery, and TASIT was subsequently performed for three days. The tips of the catheters were inserted as follows: common hepatic artery (n = 18), proper hepatic artery (n = 4), and replaced right hepatic artery (n = 5). The clinical success rate of TASIT and the prognosis after TASIT were evaluated.

RESULTS

In one patient, intimal injury of the left hepatic artery was encountered; however, TASIT could be resumed and completed via intrahepatic arterial collaterals. In two patients, the catheter tip placement was corrected on the following day because of dislocation. Finally, TASIT could be carried out in all patients. Twenty-two patients (81.5%) responded to TASIT but five patients (18.5%) did not. Among the five non-responders, two patients were transferred to liver transplantation and survived, and three patients died. There was no significant difference in the response rates to TASIT among locations of catheter tip (P > 0.05) and extent of drug distribution in the liver (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

TASIT is a feasible and efficient treatment option for SAHF regardless of the anatomic variation of the hepatic artery. Careful manipulation during the procedure to prevent injury of the hepatic artery may be the most essential factor not only for successful TASIT but also for liver transplantation, which may be performed on TASIT non-responders.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with a coaxial reservoir system using a non-braided spiral tip microcatheter

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a coaxial reservoir system with a non-braided spiral tip microcatheter and exclusive port for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro evaluation included evaluation of pressure tolerance/flow rate of the coaxial reservoir system, and the strength of connection between the 2.7-F catheter and port. Due to the difficulty of implanting conventional reservoirs, coaxial reservoirs were implanted via the femoral artery of 80 patients. We implanted a non-braided 2.7-F microcatheter with a spiral shaped tip, 5-F catheter, and a port. Clinical assessment included evaluation of technical success and complications.

RESULTS

In vitro evaluation of the coaxial reservoir at its maximum pressure load showed that flow rates for 300 mg I/mL iopamidol contrast medium were 0.25 ± 0.04 mL/s (undiluted), 1.03 ± 0.01 mL/s (50% dilution), and 2.91 ± 0.01 mL/s (30% dilution). Connection strength between the 2.7-F catheter and port was 13.4 ± 0.57 N. Percutaneous port catheter placement was successful in all patients (100%, n = 80). Complications included hepatic arterial occlusion (10%, n = 8), catheter tip dislocation (1.3%, n = 1), and catheter occlusion (1.3%, n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

A coaxial reservoir system with a non-braided microcatheter and exclusive port is safe and effective for difficulty of implanting conventional reservoir.