Long-Term Outcomes of Conversion Hepatectomy for Initially Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases

Preoperative and postoperative predictive models of early recurrence for colorectal liver metastases following chemotherapy and curative-intent one-stage hepatectomy

INTRODUCTION

Accurate prediction of patients at risk for early recurrence (ER) among patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) following preoperative chemotherapy and hepatectomy remains limited.

METHODS

Patients with CRLM who received chemotherapy prior to undergoing curative-intent resection between 2000 and 2020 were identified from an international multi-institutional database. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to assess clinicopathological factors associated with ER, and an online calculator was developed and validated.

RESULTS

Among 768 patients undergoing preoperative chemotherapy and curative-intent resection, 128 (16.7 %) patients had ER. Multivariable Cox analysis demonstrated that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance status ≥1 (HR 2.09, 95%CI 1.46-2.98), rectal cancer (HR 1.95, 95%CI 1.35-2.83), lymph node metastases (HR 2.39, 95%CI 1.60-3.56), mutated Kirsten rat sarcoma oncogene status (HR 1.95, 95%CI 1.25-3.02), increase in tumor burden score during chemotherapy (HR 1.51, 95%CI 1.03-2.24), and bilateral metastases (HR 1.94, 95%CI 1.35-2.79) were independent predictors of ER in the preoperative setting. In the postoperative model, in addition to the aforementioned factors, tumor regression grade was associated with higher hazards of ER (HR 1.91, 95%CI 1.32-2.75), while receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with lower likelihood of ER (HR 0.44, 95%CI 0.30-0.63). The discriminative accuracy of the preoperative (training: c-index: 0.77, 95%CI 0.72-0.81; internal validation: c-index: 0.79, 95%CI 0.75-0.82) and postoperative (training: c-index: 0.79, 95%CI 0.75-0.83; internal validation: c-index: 0.81, 95%CI 0.77-0.84) models was favorable (https://junkawashima.shinyapps.io/CRLMfollwingchemotherapy/).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-, tumor- and treatment-related characteristics in the preoperative and postoperative setting were utilized to develop an online, easy-to-use risk calculator for ER following resection of CRLM.

Prognosis and predictive factors of conversion surgery for initially unresectable advanced colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to report the outcomes of conversion surgery for initially unresectable advanced colorectal cancer and to identify factors that enable successful conversion surgery.

METHODS

We compared the outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer with distant metastases, including extrahepatic metastases, who underwent upfront surgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, conversion surgery, and chemotherapy only at our department from 2007 to 2020. In addition, factors influencing the achievement of conversion surgery in patients who were initially unresectable were examined in univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Of 342 colorectal cancer patients with distant metastases treated during the study period, 239 were judged to be initially unresectable, and 17 (conversion rate: 7.1%) underwent conversion surgery. The prognosis for the conversion surgery group was better than that of the chemotherapy only group but worse than that of the upfront surgery group. In the conversion surgery group, the recurrence-free survival after resection was significantly shorter than that upfront surgery group and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, and no patients have been cured. Among patients who were initially unresectable, left-sided primary cancer and normal CA19-9 level were identified as independent factors contributing to the achievement of conversion surgery in a multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although relapse after conversion surgery is common, and no patients have been cured thus far, overall survival was better in comparison to patients who received chemotherapy only. Among unresectable cases, patients with left-sided primary cancer and normal CA19-9 levels are likely to be candidates for conversion surgery.

Conversion therapy with pembrolizumab for a peritoneal metastasis of rectal cancer causing hydronephrosis in a patient with Lynch syndrome

A 44-year-old woman with Lynch syndrome was referred to our hospital for treatment of recurrence of microsatellite instability-high rectal cancer. [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG)-positron emission tomography revealed a peritoneal metastasis with invasion to the small intestine and left ureter. The peritoneal metastasis was diagnosed initially as unresectable because of extensive invasion to the left ureter requiring nephrectomy. Hence, first-line treatment with pembrolizumab was started. After the first course of pembrolizumab, she developed hydronephrosis and a resulting urinary tract infection (UTI). A percutaneous nephrostomy was performed to control the UTI. After six courses of pembrolizumab, 18FDG-positron emission tomography showed that the peritoneal metastasis was smaller with significantly reduced 18FDG uptake, and it was then diagnosed as resectable without nephrectomy. She underwent R0 resection of the peritoneal metastasis with partial resection of the small intestine. Intraoperatively, the peritoneal metastasis showed no invasion of the left ureter, allowing its preservation. The percutaneous nephrostomy was removed postoperatively, and she has not developed any subsequent UTIs. Histopathologically, the tumor showed a pathological complete response to pembrolizumab. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of conversion therapy with pembrolizumab for peritoneal metastasis with hydronephrosis.

Tumor-derived lactate promotes resistance to bevacizumab treatment by facilitating autophagy enhancer protein RUBCNL expression through histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation (H3K18la) in colorectal cancer

Bevacizumab plays an important role in the first and second line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). And induction of hypoxia and the tumors response to it plays an important role in determining the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy while the connection between them remains unclear. Here, we found that lactate accumulated in the tumor environment of CRC and acted as substrates for histone lactylation, and this process was further induced by cellular enhanced glycolysis in hypoxia. We determined that CRC patients resistant to bevacizumab treatment presented with elevated levels of histone lactylation and inhibition of histone lactylation efficiently suppressed CRC tumorigenesis, progression and survival in hypoxia. Histone lactylation promoted the transcription of RUBCNL/Pacer, facilitating autophagosome maturation through interacting with BECN1 (beclin 1) and mediating the recruitment and function of the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex, which had a crucial role in hypoxic cancer cells proliferation and survival. Moreover, combining inhibition of histone lactylation and macroautophagy/autophagy with bevacizumab treatment demonstrated remarkable treatment efficacy in bevacizumab-resistance patients-derived pre-clinical models. These findings delivered a new exploration and important supplement of metabolic reprogramming-epigenetic regulation, and provided a new strategy for improving clinical efficacy of bevacizumab in CRC by inhibition of histone lactylation.Abbreviations: 2-DG: 2-deoxy-D-glucose; BECN1: beclin 1; CQ: chloroquine; CRC: colorectal cancer; DMOG: dimethyloxalylglycine; H3K18la: histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; Nala: sodium lactate; PDO: patient-derived orgnoid; PDX: patient-derived xenograft; RUBCNL/Pacer: rubicon like autophagy enhancer; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1.

Preoperative transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads (DEB-TACE) in patients undergoing conversional hepatectomy: a propensity-score matching analysis

OBJECTIVES

Patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) who underwent hepatic resection after conversion therapy had a high recurrence rate of nearly 90%. Preoperative DEB-TACE has the potential to prevent postoperative recurrence which has not been elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of preoperative DEB-TACE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with CRLM who underwent liver resection from June 1, 2016, to June 30, 2021, were collected and those who received conversional hepatectomy were included in this study. Patients with preoperative DEB-TACE were propensity-score matched in a 1:1 ratio to patients without preoperative DEB-TACE. Short-term outcomes and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

After PSM, 44 patients were included in each group. The toxicities of DEB-TACE were mild and could be managed by conservative treatment. Overall response rate (ORR) of conversion therapy (75.0% vs. 81.2%, p = 0.437) and postoperative complication of hepatic resection (27.3% vs. 20.5%, p = 0.453) were similar between the two groups. The median RFS of the DEB-TACE group (10.7 months, 95%CI: 6.6-14.8 months) was significantly longer than that of the control group (8.1 months, 95%CI: 3.4-12.8 months) (HR: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.37-0.95, p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients who became resectable after conversion therapy, preoperative DEB-TACE might be a safe option to achieve longer RFS.

KEY POINTS

• This is a propensity-score matching study comparing patients who underwent conversional hepatectomy with or without preoperative DEB-TACE. • The preoperative DEB-TACE was safe and with mild toxicities (without toxicities more than CTCAE grade 3). • The preoperative DEB-TACE significantly prolonged the RFS of those patients who underwent conversional hepatectomy (10.7 vs. 8.1 months, p = 0.027).

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of 196 Chinese patients with colon cancer

Aims

To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of Chinese patients with colon cancer.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the records of patients with colon cancer underwent surgery between 2014 and 2017 was performed. Univariate analysis in combination with Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the survival data, so as to reveal the prognostic factors of colon cancer. Data record was based on a standard data form. SPSS version 26.0 was used for data analysis (SPSS, Chicago, IL, United States).

Results

The 3-year survival rate and the 5-year survival rate was 79.3% and 68.2%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that radical surgery, laparoscopic surgery, ascites, swollen lymph nodes at the root of the mesentery, liver metastases, nerve invasion, vascular invasion, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, positive level of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, CA125, CA72-4 and combined detection were positive factors in the prognosis of colon cancer (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that radical surgery and TNM staging were independent factors affecting the prognosis of patients with colon cancer (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Radical surgery and TNM staging have a significant impact on the prognosis of patients with colon cancer.

Conversion surgery after lenvatinib treatment for multiple lung metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma

Although systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma has advanced after the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib and lenvatinib, the effectiveness of a single tyrosine kinase inhibitor in survival extension of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma is limited to a few months. Therefore, novel treatment options are required for unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas, including those with multiple lung metastases. This case report describes a hepatocellular carcinoma patient with a recurrence of multiple lung metastases, which was successfully treated with conversion pneumonectomy after treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. A 79-year-old man underwent right hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma, along with removal of the tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava. Multiple lung metastases were detected 4 months after hepatectomy. Treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mainly lenvatinib, resulted in complete remission of the lung metastases, except for one lesion in segment 3 of the right lung which gradually enlarged. Twenty-three months after hepatectomy, partial resection of the right lung was performed using video-assisted thoracic surgery for this residual lesion in the right lung. The patient remained disease-free for 11 months after conversion pneumonectomy, without any adjuvant therapies. This is the first case report of multiple lung metastases originating from hepatocellular carcinoma which were successfully treated with conversion pneumonectomy after treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Conversion pneumonectomy after systemic therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors should be considered as a treatment strategy for patients with unresectable multiple lung metastases from hepatocellular carcinomas.

Clinical outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable colorectal liver metastasis with intermediate risk of postoperative recurrence: A multi‐institutional retrospective study

Aims

Risk-scoring systems for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) after hepatectomy allow prognoses to be predicted preoperatively. We investigated the clinical outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable CRLM according to patient risk status, aiming to determine the subgroup of patients who could benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

In this multi-institutional retrospective analysis, the preoperative risk score was calculated from six previously reported factors: synchronous metastases, primary lymph node positivity, tumor number, largest tumor diameter, extrahepatic metastasis, and the preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level. Patients were divided into three groups according to their risk scores: low risk (score = 0), intermediate risk (score 1-10), and high risk (score ≥11). Overall and recurrence-free survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. After propensity-score matching in the intermediate-risk group, we compared clinicopathological features and outcomes.

Results

There were 318 cases, from 20 institutions. The preoperative risk score could be calculated in 277 cases. There were 34, 192, and 51 patients in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively. Intermediate-risk group patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy had significantly better recurrence-free survival than that of patients without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = .0453). After propensity-score matching in the intermediate-risk group, the recurrence-free survival rate was better in patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = .0261). But the overall survival rate was not improved after the matching.

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable CRLM might prolong the recurrence-free survival period for intermediate-risk patients with preoperative risk scores in the range of 1-10, but the overall survival was not improved by neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Prognostic impact of conversion hepatectomy for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of conversion hepatectomy in patients with initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and to identify prognostic factors after conversion hepatectomy.

METHODS

Correlations of conversion hepatectomy with relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively investigated in 554 consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRLM in 2000-2017. Prognostic factors after conversion hepatectomy were examined in multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

Five hundred and nine patients (92%) had initially resectable CRLM at diagnosis and underwent hepatectomy (primary resection group) and 45 (8%) underwent conversion hepatectomy following chemotherapy (conversion group). The 5-year RFS was 30.0% in the primary resection group and 19.8% in the conversion group (p = 0.042); the respective 5-year OS rates were 62.0% and 52.4% (p = 0.253). Multivariable analysis did not identify conversion hepatectomy as a significant prognostic factor for RFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-1.37, p = 0.796) or OS (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.67-1.79, p = 0.667). In the conversion group, multivariable analysis identified the following independent prognostic factors: timing of liver metastases for RFS (synchronous: HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.20-8.24, p = 0.020) and preoperative CEA level for RFS (> 5 ng/ml: HR 3.10, 95% CI 1.45-6.61, p = 0.003) and OS (> 5 ng/ml: HR 3.29, 95% CI 1.18-9.17, p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

RFS and OS rates after conversion hepatectomy were not inferior to those after primary resection in patients with CRLM. Patients with a normal CEA level before hepatectomy can be expected to have good long-term prognosis after conversion hepatectomy.

ALPPS Improves Survival Compared With TSH in Patients Affected of CRLM: Survival Analysis From the Randomized Controlled Trial LIGRO

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the oncological outcome for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) randomized to associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) or 2-stage hepatectomy (TSH).

BACKGROUND

TSH with portal vein occlusion is an established method for patients with CRLM and a low volume of the future liver remnant (FLR). ALPPS is a less established method. The oncological outcome of these methods has not been previously compared in a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

One hundred patients with CRLM and standardized FLR (sFLR) <30% were included and randomized to resection by ALPPS or TSH, with the option of rescue ALPPS in the TSH group, if the criteria for volume increase was not met. The first radiological follow-up was performed approximately 4 weeks postoperatively and then after 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months. At all the follow-ups, the remaining/recurrent tumor was noted. After the first follow-up, chemotherapy was administered, if indicated.

RESULTS

The resection rate, according to the intention-to-treat principle, was 92% (44 patients) for patients randomized to ALPPS compared with 80% (39 patients) for patients randomized to TSH (P = 0.091), including rescue ALPPS. At the first postoperative follow-up, 37 patients randomized to ALPPS were assessed as tumor free in the liver, and also 28 patients randomized to TSH (P = 0.028). The estimated median survival for patients randomized to ALPPS was 46 months compared with 26 months for patients randomized to TSH (P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

ALPPS seems to improve survival in patients with CRLM and sFLR <30% compared with TSH.

Postoperative chemotherapy is associated with prognosis of stage IV colorectal cancer treated with preoperative chemotherapy/chemoradiotherapy and curative resection

PURPOSE

Advances in systemic chemotherapy have increased the resectability in colorectal cancer (CRC) associated with metastases even if it was initially unresectable. However, what determines the prognosis of stage IV CRC patients treated by preoperative therapy and surgery remains unclear. We attempted to identify prognostic factors in such CRC patients.

METHODS

We reviewed stage IV CRC patients who underwent curative resection between December 2007 and May 2019. The patients who underwent conversion chemotherapy for initially unresectable disease and those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for resectable synchronous metastases or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) for advanced lower rectal cancer with resectable metastases were included. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were examined by multivariate analyses using Cox proportional hazard models. The RFS and OS curves were analyzed according to postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (AC).

RESULTS

Among 70 patients who underwent curative surgery (34 men, mean age: 60 years old), 33 had initially unresectable disease, 23 received NAC, and 14 NACRT. By multivariate analyses, AC was an independent predictor for improved RFS and OS (hazard ratio = 0.29, p = 0.0002, and hazard ratio = 0.37, p = 0.025). Patients treated with AC showed improved RFS and OS than those without AC (2-year RFS rate = 30% vs 19%, p = 0.031, and 3-year OS rate = 87% vs 67%, p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Because of its association with improved prognosis, AC should be considered for stage IV CRC patients after curative resection regardless of initial resectability status and preoperative therapy.

An increase in the peripheral lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio after primary site resection is associated with a prolonged survival in unresectable colorectal carcinoma

PURPOSE

The prognostic benefits of primary tumor resection in patients with unresectable distant metastatic colorectal cancer remain unclear. A high pre-treatment lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) was previously shown to be associated with a better prognosis. We assessed whether or not primary tumor resection was associated with an improved survival if the peripheral lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio increased after primary site resection.

METHODS

The survival in 64 and 59 patients with and without primary tumor resection, respectively, was retrospectively compared. After resection, the survival in 39 patients with a postoperatively increased LMR (LMR-increase) and 25 patients with a decreased LMR (LMR-decrease) was compared.

RESULTS

Primary tumor resection prolonged the median survival more frequently in cases of non-differentiated adenocarcinoma, obstructive symptoms, high serum albumin levels, and no lymph-node metastasis than in others. Cox regression showed that the potential independent prognostic variable was non-resection of the primary lesion. After resection, the median survival in the LMR-increase vs. LMR-decrease groups was significantly different (27.3 vs. 20.8 months). There were no marked differences in patient background characteristics between the groups, except for in the number of pre-operative peripheral blood lymphocytes. The resected specimens showed significantly lower CD8⁺:CD163⁺ invading leukocyte ratios in the LMR-increase group than in the LMR-decrease group.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary tumor resection in patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer may be associated with an improved survival, especially when the LMR is increased after primary tumor resection.

NRG Oncology/RTOG 0438: A Phase 1 Trial of Highly Conformal Radiation Therapy for Liver Metastases

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the feasibility and maximally tolerated dose of hypofractionated, conformal radiation therapy (RT) in patients with liver metastases.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Nonsurgical patients with ≤5 liver metastases (sum of maximal diameter of all lesions ≤8 cm) were included in the study. There were 4 dose levels: 35 Gy, 40 Gy (starting level), 45 Gy, and 50 Gy, in 10 fractions. The clinical target volume included metastases identified on contrast computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging with a 5-mm margin within the liver. The planning target volume margin ranged from 4 to 30 mm, depending on breathing motion. Dose-limiting toxicities were defined as RT-related grade ≥4 hepatic or gastrointestinal toxicities or thrombocytopenia occurring within 90 days of the start of RT.

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients with metastases from colorectal (8 patients), breast (7 patients) and other malignancies (11 patients) were enrolled between November 2005 and December 2010. Twenty-three patients were evaluable (8, 7, and 8 on the 40, 45, and 50 Gy dose levels, respectively). Two patients assigned to 50 Gy received 35 Gy owing to normal tissue limits, so 2 additional patients were treated to 50 Gy. There were no dose-limiting toxicities on any of the dose levels. On the 45 Gy dose level, 1 patient developed reversible grade 3 enteritis (37 days from RT start) and diarrhea (22 days); another patient developed grade 3 lymphopenia (23 days). At the 50 Gy dose level, 1 patient had grade 3 hyperglycemia (74 days), and another patient developed grade 3 lymphopenia (13 days), colonic hemorrhage (325 days), and colonic gastrointestinal obstruction (325 days). With a potential median follow-up of 66.1 months (range, 34.6-89.0 months), no other late toxicities were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of liver metastases with 50 Gy in 10 fractions was feasible and safe in a multi-institutional setting.

Current status of surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases

Liver metastasis (LM) is one of the major causes of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Approximately 60% of CRC patients develop LM during the course of their illness. About 85% of these patients have unresectable disease at the time of presentation. Surgical resection is currently the only curative treatment for patients with colorectal LM (CRLM). In recent years, with the help of modern multimodality therapy including systemic chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, the outcomes of CRLM treatment have significantly improved. This article summarizes the current status of surgical treatment of CRLM including evaluation of resectability, treatment for resectable LM, conversion therapy and liver transplantation for unresectable cases, liver resection for recurrent CRLM and elderly patients, and surgery for concomitant hepatic and extra-hepatic metastatic disease (EHMD). We believe that with the help of modern multimodality therapy, an aggressive oncosurgical approach should be implemented as it has the possibility of achieving a cure, even when EHMD is present in patients with CRLM.

Prognostic factors of hepatectomy in initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis: Indication for conversion therapy

The aim of the present study was to retrospectively identify prognostic factors for long-term cumulative survival following liver resection in patients with primarily unresectable colorectal cancer who had previously received conversion therapy. A multicentre study was designed to ascertain the appropriate indication for conversion therapy. The study included 34 patients who underwent conversion therapy at 5 university hospitals. Patients' background, operative factors, recurrence rate and survival rate were evaluated, and factors influencing therapy outcomes were identified. The median duration of preoperative chemotherapy was 3 months and the response rate was 39.8%. Upon resection, the median tumour size was 47 mm and the median number of tumours was 4. The recurrence-free and cumulative survival rates 5 years after liver resection were 13.7 and 39.3%, respectively. Postoperative complications developed in 12 patients. A response rate >40% was indicated with regards to the assessed prognostic factors for long-term cumulative survival following liver resection and an absence of postoperative complications was noted. It was revealed that conversion therapy should be considered prior to liver resection, particularly for patients with response rates exceeding 40%. Absence of postoperative complications is also an independent predictor of long-term cumulative survival after liver resection. In light of these findings, it was consisted that an optimal response rate >40% could be used as an indicator for surgical resection in conversion therapy. In addition, meticulous intra- and postoperative managements are important for decreasing postoperative complications and improving long-term cumulative survival.

Local Option: The Rational Use of Local Therapy in Patients at High Risk to Die of Metastatic Progression

On occasion, clinicians may be motivated to offer local therapy (eg, surgery, radiation, ablation) to patients with advanced cancer in the hope of prolonging survival (as opposed to palliating a symptom). An appropriately informed discussion of risks and benefits should push clinicians to reflect on the rationale for use of local therapy in a patient who is far more likely to die as a result of systemic progression. Ultimately, the justification for local therapy in advanced cancer must be based on several assumptions of what a patient’s cancer will and will not do. The following is an attempt to provide the framework for patients and their care teams to collectively consider the assumptions surrounding the use of local therapy and the potential consequences of being wrong.

Biomarkers in colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Despite a 5-year overall survival rate of 58 per cent after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLMs), more than half of patients develop recurrence, highlighting the need for accurate risk stratification and prognostication. Traditional prognostic factors have been superseded by newer outcome predictors, including those defined by the molecular origin of the primary tumour.

METHODS

This review synthesized findings in the literature using the PubMed database of articles in the English language published between 1998 and 2017 on prognostic and predictive biomarkers in patients undergoing resection of CLMs.

RESULTS

Responses to preoperative chemotherapy define prognosis in patients undergoing CLM resection. There are differences by embryological origin too. Somatic mutations in the proto-oncogenes KRAS and NRAS are associated with positive surgical margins and tumour regrowth after ablation. Other mutations (such as BRAF) and co-occurring mutations in RAS/TP53 and APC/PIK3CA have emerged as important biomarkers that determine an individual patient's tumour biology and may be used to predict outcome after CLM resection.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of somatic mutations can guide the use of preoperative therapy, extent of surgical margin and selection for ablation alone.

Survival time and prognostic factors of patients with initial noncurative colorectal liver metastases

The true survival benefit of different curative strategies involving type of operative procedure and timing for patients with initial noncurative colorectal liver metastases remains uncertain. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of primary tumor resection on patients' survival and to clarify the predictive factors related to overall survival (OS).This was a retrospective study that included 219 patients with initial noncurative colorectal liver metastases without extrahepatic disease. The clinicopathological characteristics of patients and their survival were examined. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. All variables associated with P <.05 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional-hazard regression model.The 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rates of patients with simultaneous liver resection were 79.1%, 39.1%, and 28.4%, respectively, and those of patients with staged liver resection were 83.3%, 46.7%, and 36.8%, respectively (P = .380). The 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rates of patients with primary tumor resection were 57.0%, 18.2%, and 12.3%, respectively, while for the patients without primary tumor resection were 38.9%, 5.6%, and 0%, respectively (P = .012). Independent prognostic factors for OS were carbohydrate antigen19-9, primary tumor resection, tumor differentiation, and adjuvant chemotherapy.No difference in OS was observed between simultaneous liver resection and staged liver resection, while primary tumor resection was beneficial to noncurative colorectal liver metastases.

Prospective phase II trial of combination hepatic artery infusion and systemic chemotherapy for unresectable colorectal liver metastases: Long term results and curative potential

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Combination hepatic artery infusion (HAI) and systemic (SYS) chemotherapy for unresectable CRLM results in high tumor-response rates. This study represents an update of long-term survival and conversion to resectability in patients with unresectable CRLM treated with HAI and SYS chemotherapy in a phase II study.

METHOD

The primary endpoint was complete resection. Multivariate and landmark analysis assessed the effect of complete resection on progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

From 2007 to 2012, 64 patients with median of 13 tumors were enrolled; 67% had prior chemotherapy. 33 patients (52%) were converted to resection. Median follow-up among survivors was 81 months. Median PFS and OS were 13 and 38 months, respectively, with 5-year-OS of 36%. Chemotherapy-naïve patients had 5-year-OS of 51%. Conversion to resection was the only independent factor prognostic of improved PFS and OS. Nine of 64 patients (14%) are NED (five since initial resection, three after resection of recurrent disease, one from chemotherapy alone) at median follow-up of 86 months from treatment initiation, and 72 months from last operative intervention.

CONCLUSION

Combination HAI and SYS is an effective therapy for high-volume unresectable CRLM, resulting in a high rate of resection, long-term survival, and the potential for cure.

Pharmacokinetics of Irinotecan, Oxaliplatin and 5-Fluorouracil During Hepatic Artery Chronomodulated Infusion: A Translational European OPTILIV Study

The combination of hepatic artery infusion (HAI) of irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin with intravenous cetuximab has safely achieved prolonged survival in colorectal cancer patients with extensive liver metastases and prior treatment. Systemic exposure to the drugs or their main metabolites was determined during the first course of chronomodulated triplet HAI in 11 patients and related to toxicities after one or three courses. Consistent trends were found between the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) values of irinotecan, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38; a bioactive metabolite), total oxaliplatin and platinum ultrafiltrate (P-UF), on the one hand, and subsequent leukopenia severity, on the other hand. Moreover, the maximum plasma concentration (C _max) and the AUC of P-UF significantly predicted grades of diarrhoea (p = 0.004 and 0.017, respectively) and anaemia (p = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively) after the first course. Systemic drug exposure helps explain both the adverse events and the low rate of extrahepatic progression-a usual drawback of HAI chemotherapy-thus supporting upfront testing of the regimen. Systems optimization of chronomodulated HAI delivery could further reduce adverse events.

Triplet (FOLFOXIRI) versus doublet (FOLFOX or FOLFIRI) backbone chemotherapy as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Uncertainty exists regarding the comparative effectiveness of triplet chemotherapy (FOLFOXIRI) as backbone first-line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) comparing triplet versus doublet chemotherapy (FOLFOX or FOLFIRI) as first-line therapy in mCRC. Methods and reporting followed PRISMA and SAMPL guidelines. Eight RCTs were included, comprising 1732 patients. In pooled analysis, FOLFOXIRI was associated with improvements in efficacy outcomes, notably with a 25% survival increase (95%CI: 10-37%). FOLFOXIRI was also associated with increased toxicity, with a non-significant 25% increase in the risk of patients experiencing grade ≥3 adverse events (95% CI: -3 to 61%) and with a 1.83 (95% CI: 1.62-2.07) increase in the rate ratio of grade ≥3 adverse events. Moderate quality evidence suggests that first-line FOLFOXIRI provides clinically meaningful efficacy benefits in this setting, at the expense of increased toxicity. Further research is warranted to better characterize safety and to evaluate the most beneficial combination with targeted agents.

Pharmacogenetic determinants of outcomes on triplet hepatic artery infusion and intravenous cetuximab for liver metastases from colorectal cancer (European trial OPTILIV, NCT00852228)

Background:

The hepatic artery infusion (HAI) of irinotecan, oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil with intravenous cetuximab achieved outstanding efficacy in previously treated patients with initially unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer. This planned study aimed at the identification of pharmacogenetic predictors of outcomes.

Methods:

Circulating mononuclear cells were analysed for 207 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 34 pharmacology genes. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms passing stringent Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium test were tested for their association with outcomes in 52 patients (male/female, 36/16; WHO PS, 0–1).

Results:

VKORC1 SNPs (rs9923231 and rs9934438) were associated with early and objective responses, and survival. For rs9923231, T/T achieved more early responses than C/T (50% vs 5%, P=0.029) and greatest 4-year survival (46% vs 0%, P=0.006). N-acetyltransferase-2 (rs1041983 and rs1801280) were associated with up to seven-fold more macroscopically complete hepatectomies. Progression-free survival was largest in ABCB1 rs1045642 T/T (P=0.026) and rs2032582 T/T (P=0.035). Associations were found between toxicities and gene variants (P<0.05), including neutropenia with ABCB1 (rs1045642) and SLC0B3 (rs4149117 and rs7311358); and diarrhoea with CYP2C9 (rs1057910), CYP2C19 (rs3758581), UGT1A6 (rs4124874) and SLC22A1 (rs72552763).

Conclusion:

VKORC1, NAT2 and ABCB1 variants predicted for HAI efficacy. Pharmacogenetics could guide the personalisation of liver-targeted medico-surgical therapies.

The paradigm of tumor shrinkage and rapid liver remnant hypertrophy for conversion of initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis: a case report and literature review

Background

For colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) patients, hepatic resection is currently the sole cure offering the chance of long-term survival. Tumor shrinkage and planned liver remnant hypertrophy are the two key strategies for conversion of initially unresectable CRLM. First conducted in 2012, associated liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) allows rapid liver growth. As a means to induce hypertrophy, portal vein embolization (PVE) has been widely applied before extending hepatectomy. Recently, Peng et al. present a new approach of terminal branches portal vein embolization (TBPVE), offering an efficient way to amplify FLR and making chances for surgery in 2 weeks.

Case presentation

We reported a 61-year-old woman with synchronous hepatic metastasized carcinoma of the colon sigmoideum underwent TBPVE after 6 cycles of neoadjuvant therapy in order to perform a planned right trisectionectomy. Rapid liver remnant hypertrophy and remarkable tumor shrinkage were achieved, and laparoscopic sigmoidectomy and right trisectionectomy were successfully performed. The postsurgical course was uneventful and 7 months of recurrence-free survival have been witnessed.

Conclusions

The dual tactics of tumor shrinkage and planned rapid liver remnant hypertrophy will make concerted efforts to further increase the clinical candidacy for curative resection, which are valuable for further investigation.

FOLFOXIRI Plus Bevacizumab as Conversion Therapy for Patients With Initially Unresectable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis

Importance

The combination of fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan plus bevacizumab (FOLFOXIRI-Bev) is an established and effective first-line chemotherapy regimen for metastatic colorectal cancer. However, resection rates of metastases and overall survival with this schedule have never been systematically evaluated in published studies including, but not limited to, the TRIBE (TRIplet plus BEvacizumab) trial.

Objective

To assess the clinical efficacy of FOLFOXIRI-Bev, including outcomes and rates of surgical conversions.

Data Sources

A systematic review was conducted in October 2016 in concordance with the PRISMA guidelines of PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Ovid, and EMBASE using the terms FOLFOXIRI and bevacizumab and (colorectal cancer).

Study Selection

Clinical trials, retrospective case series, and prospective case series that used FOLFOXIRI-Bev for the treatment of initially unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer in humans were included. Individual case reports and retrospective case series with fewer than 10 patients were excluded.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Data were extracted independently by 2 reviewers on a predesigned, standardized form. Ultimately, data were aggregated to obtain the pooled effect size of efficacy, according to the random-effects model and weighted for the number of patients included in each trial.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Median overall survival and progression-free survival, overall response rates, and rates of R0 surgical conversions and overall surgical conversions.

Results

Eleven FOLFOXIRI-Bev studies published between 2010 and 2016 met the inclusion criteria and were pooled for analysis. The studies included 889 patients, with 877 patients clinically evaluable for overall response rates. The objective response rate to FOLFOXIRI-Bev was 69% (95% CI, 65%-72%; I2 = 25%). The rate of overall surgical conversions was 39.1% (95% CI, 26.9%-52.8%), and the rate of R0 surgical conversions was 28.1% (95% CI, 18.1%-40.8%). Median pooled overall survival was 30.2 months (95% CI, 26.5-33.7 months) in 6 trials with data available, and progression-free survival was 12.4 months (95% CI, 10.0-14.3 months) in 9 trials with data available. In meta-regression analysis, variables significantly associated with conversion surgery were disease limited to the liver and a higher median number of cycles (close to 12).

Conclusions and Relevance

For patients with surgically unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer, FOLFOXIRI-Bev is associated with a significant overall response rate. Such an effective regimen leads to a probability of surgical conversion of distant metastases approaching 40%, with more than one-fourth of patients having an R0 resection.

Liver metastases from gastric cancer represent systemic disease in comparison with those from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the difference in behavior and outcome after initial hepatectomy between gastric cancer liver metastases (GCLM) and colorectal cancer liver metastases (CCLM).

METHODS

Data for patients undergoing curative hepatectomy for liver-only metastases from colorectal cancer (n = 193) and gastric cancer (n = 26) performed at single institution with the same criteria regarding the status of liver metastases were reviewed. Post-hepatectomy recurrence pattern, re-resection for recurrence, and three different endpoints were evaluated.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the GCLM and the CCLM in the incidence of recurrence (69% vs. 63%, P = 0.553) and recurrence-free survival (median, 15.2 months vs. 16.5 months, P = 0.230) following initial hepatectomy for liver metastases. However, the GCLM had a higher frequency of systemic unresectable recurrences than the CCLM. Time to surgical failure (median, 15.2 months vs. 39.7 months, P = 0.006) and overall survival (median, 20.1 months vs. 66.2 months, P < 0.001) were significantly shorter in the GCLM than in the CCLM.

CONCLUSIONS

GCLM shows more systemic and aggressive oncological behavior than CCLM after curative hepatectomy even when metastases are confined only to the liver at the time of initial hepatectomy.