Current treatment options for patients with initially unresectable isolated colorectal liver metastases

Outcomes of Hepatic Artery-Based Therapies and Systemic Multiagent Chemotherapy in Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Treatment of unresectable colorectal liver metastases (UCRLM) includes locoregional and systemic therapy. A comprehensive analysis capturing long-term outcomes of these treatment options has not been performed.

OBJECTIVE

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled outcomes of hepatic artery infusion with systemic chemotherapy (HAI-S), transarterial chemoembolization with systemic chemotherapy (TACE-S), transarterial radioembolization with systemic chemotherapy (TARE-S), doublet (FOLFOX, FOLFIRI), and triplet chemotherapy (FOLFOXIRI).

METHODS

Outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), rate of conversion to resection (CTR), and response rate (RR).

RESULTS

A total of 32, 7, 9, and 14 publications were included in the HAI-S, TACE-S, and TARE-S chemotherapy arms. The 6/12/24/36-month OS estimates for HAI-S, TACE-S, TARE-S, FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and FOLFOXIRI were 97%/80%/54%/35%, 100%/83%/40%/14%, 82%/61%/34%/21%, 96%/83%/53%/36%, and 96%/93%/72%/55%. Similarly, the 6/12/24/36-month PFS estimates were 74%/44%/19%/14%, 66%/20%/9%/3%, 57%/23%/10%/3%, 69%/30%/12%/7%, and 88%/55%/18%/11%. The corresponding CTR and RR rates were 31, 20%, unmeasurable (TARE-S), 35, 53; and 49, 45, 45, 50, 80%, respectively. The majority of chemotherapy studies included first-line therapy and liver-only metastases, whereas most HAI-S studies were pretreated. On subgroup analysis in first-line setting with liver-only metastases, the HAI-S arm had comparable outcomes to FOLFOXIRI and outperformed doublet chemotherapy regimens. Although triplet chemotherapy appeared to outperform other arms, high toxicity and inclusion of potentially resectable patients must be considered while interpreting results.

CONCLUSIONS

HAI-S and multiagent chemotherapy are effective therapies for UCRLM. To make definitive conclusions, a randomized trial with comparable patient characteristics and line of therapy will be required. The upcoming EA2222 PUMP trial may help to address this question.

From the completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to surgery for colorectal cancer liver metastasis: What is the optimal timing?

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been widely performed in the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) patients, but the optimal timing of surgery after NAC is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal timing of surgery.

METHODS

From December 2010 to May 2018, 101 consecutive patients who received NAC followed by liver resection for CRLM were included in this study. The main outcome parameters were pathological response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). The effect of time to surgery (TTS) on patient outcomes, defined as a high TTS and a low TTS according to an X-tile analysis, was investigated. To adjust for potential selection bias, propensity score matching at 1:2 was performed with two high TTS patients matched to one low TTS patient. Kaplan-Meier curves, logistic regression analyses, and Cox regression models were used for the data analysis.

RESULTS

The optimal cut-off value for the TTS was 5 weeks by X-tile analysis. The patients in this study were divided into low (≤5 weeks, n = 27) and high (>5 weeks, n = 74) TTS groups. Patients with a high TTS were more likely to have an unfavorable pathological response (75.7% vs 48.1%, P = .008). In multivariate analysis, a low TTS significantly predicted a better pathological response (OR = 3.397, 95% CI: 1.116-10.344, P = .031). Compared to patients with a high TTS, patients with a low TTS had significantly better PFS (P < .001, mPFS: 16 months vs 7 months) and better OS (P = .037, mOS: not reached vs 36 months). Multivariate analysis revealed that a TTS > 5 weeks was an independent predictor of decreased PFS (HR = 2.041, 95% CI: 1.152-3.616, P = .014) but not OS. After propensity matching, the patients with a low TTS had significantly better PFS (P < .001, mPFS: 18.2 months vs 10 months) and an equivalent OS (P = .115, mOS: not reached vs 41 months). Multivariate analysis revealed that a TTS > 5 weeks was an independent predictor of decreased PFS (HR = 3.031, 95% CI: 1.494-6.149, P = .002) but not OS.

CONCLUSION

The longer TTS after the completion of NAC may be disadvantageous for a favorable pathological response and long-term PFS. These results should be validated prospectively in a randomized trial.

The actual management of colorectal liver metastases

Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in the world and between 50% and 60% of patients will develop colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) during the disease. There have been great improvements in the management of CRLM during the last decades. The combination of modern chemotherapeutic and biological systemic treatments with aggressive surgical resection strategies is currently the base for the treatment of patients considered unresectable until few years ago. Furthermore, several new treatments for the local control of CRLM have been developed and are now part of the arsenal of multidisciplinary teams for the treatment of these complex patients. The aim of this review was to summarize and update the management of CRLM, its controversies and relevant evidence.

Neo-adjuvant Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia Is Associated with Histological Responses and Outcomes after the Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases

BACKGROUND

Neutropenia, the major adverse event in chemotherapy, is associated with favourable clinical outcome in several solid tumours. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC)-induced neutropenia for the pathological response and prognosis in colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed in 141 CRLM patients receiving NAC followed by liver resection. A logistic regression was applied to analyse potential predictors. A Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to analyse survival.

RESULTS

Neutropenia due to NAC was observed in 42.6% (60/141) of all patients, and grade 3/4 neutropenia was noted in 31.7% (19/60). A pathological response (tumour regression grade (TRG) 1-3) was reported in 46.1% (65/141) of patients. Multivariate analysis showed that neutropenia significantly predicted the favourable pathological response (OR = 3.718, 95% CI 1.716-8.329, P = 0.001), as well as targeted therapy, good differentiation and preoperative CEA < 10 ng/ml as independent predictors of favourable histological response. Of the patients, 54.6% (77/141) had postoperative complications, including 28 major complications (28/77, 36.4%). Severe neutropenia significantly predicted postoperative major complications in multivariate analysis (OR = 4.077, 95% CI 1.184-14.038, P = 0.026). Compared to patients without neutropenia, patients with neutropenia had significantly better progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.007; mPFS, 10.2 months vs. 6.7 months). Patients with histological response had significantly better PFS than patients with no histological response (P = 0.001; mPFS, 10.0 months vs. 5.5 months). According to multivariate analyses, neutropenia was a significant predictor for better PFS (HR = 0.613, 95% CI 0.406-0.925, P = 0.020) but not OS.

CONCLUSIONS

For CRLM patients receiving NAC followed by liver resection, NAC-induced neutropenia was a significant predictor of favourable pathological response, postoperative major complications and better prognosis, which makes it useful for CRLM patients in guiding treatment approaches and prognosis assessments.

A case report of rectal adenocarcinoma with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma of the liver

Objective

In this case report, we describe our experience with a patient who was treated for rectal adenocarcinoma complicated with primary cholangiocarcinoma of the liver and highlight the problems in the diagnosis and treatment of these potentially fatal lesions.

Methods

In the clinical setting, we often use the concept of “monism” for diagnosis and treatment. In this report, we review the diagnosis and treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma complicated with primary cholangiocarcinoma of the liver.

Results

Four months after surgery, the patient’s carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level was elevated, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed multiple liver metastases. The patient underwent three rounds of transarterial chemoembolisation and two rounds of radiofrequency ablation at our hospital for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma. The clinical response was poor and indicative of progression of intrahepatic lesions.

Conclusion

A preoperative multidisciplinary team, rapid intraoperative pathological examination, and active comprehensive postoperative treatment are necessary to improve the prognosis of multiple primary tumours.

Preoperative D-dimer and Gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase Predict Major Complications and Survival in Colorectal Liver Metastases Patients After Resection

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive value of the pre-operative D-dimer and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) for the prognosis in colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) patients after hepatic resection. METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-two patients between December 2008 and December 2016 and 101 patients at our center from January 2017 to December 2018 were selected as a training set and validation set, respectively. The combination of the pre-operative D-dimer and GGT status (CPDG score) was scored as follows: elevated D-dimer levels with elevated GGT levels was allocated a score of 2, decreased D-dimer levels with decreased GGT levels was allocated a score of 0, and all other combinations were allocated a score of 1. In the training set, a logistic regression was applied to explore potential predictors of major postoperative complications. A Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to analyze survival. We further verified our findings in the validation set. RESULTS: Major complications occurred in 43 (14.7%) and 25 (24.8%) patients in the training set and validation set, respectively. In the training set, multivariate analysis showed that elevated GGT levels and elevated D-dimer levels independently predicted major complications respectively. In the multivariate analyses, elevated pre-operative D-dimer levels remained independently associated with decreased overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.751, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.139-2.691, P = .01). The CPDG score was an independent prognostic factor for major complications and OS in the multivariate analyses. The predictive ability of the CPDG score was higher than either factor alone. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that compared with patients with CPDG score = 1 or CPDG score = 0, patients with a CPDG score = 2 had worsened OS. Furthermore, for OS comparisons, the differences between any two groups were significant. In the validation set, elevated GGT and D-dimer were also suggested to predict worse progression-free survival (PFS) and to be independently associated with major complications. CONCLUSIONS: The pre-operative D-dimer levels, GGT levels and CPDG score are reliable biomarkers to predict post-operative major complications or survival in CRLM patients after hepatic resection, which make it useful for CRLM patients in guiding surveillance approaches and prognosis assessments.

Colorectal liver metastases: An update on multidisciplinary approach

Liver metastasis is the commonest form of distant metastasis in colorectal cancer. Selection criteria for surgery and liver-directed therapies have recently been extended. However, resectability remains poorly defined. Tumour biology is increasingly recognized as an important prognostic factor; hence molecular profiling has a growing role in risk stratification and management planning. Surgical resection is the only treatment modality for curative intent. The most appropriate surgical approach is yet to be established. The primary cancer and the hepatic metastasis can be removed simultaneously or in a two-step approach; these two strategies have comparable long-term outcomes. For patients with a limited future liver remnant, portal vein embolization, combined ablation and resection, and associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy have been advocated, and each has their pros and cons. The role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy is still debated. Targeted biological agents and loco-regional therapies (thermal ablation, intra-arterial chemo- or radio-embolization, and stereotactic radiotherapy) further improve the already favourable results. The recent debate about offering liver transplantation to highly selected patients needs validation from large clinical trials. Evidence-based protocols are missing, and therefore optimal management of hepatic metastasis should be personalized and determined by a multi-disciplinary team.

Laparoscopic vs Open Surgery for Colorectal Liver Metastases

Importance

Surgery represents the mainstay treatment of colorectal liver metastases. Indications for the laparoscopic approach in this setting have been widened and there is a need to confirm the benefits of minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) in patients with complex disease states.

Objective

To compare outcomes of laparoscopic surgery with those of open surgery for liver metastases from colorectal cancer, focusing on the characteristics of modern MILS and therefore overcoming possible selection bias related to different policies for patients' eligibility for MILS over time.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cohort study of 885 resections performed for liver metastases from colorectal cancer between January 1, 2004, and June 30, 2017, at the Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit of San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy, comprising 187 laparoscopic and 698 open resections. Procedures performed using the MILS approach with a ratio of MILS to total resections per year of more than 30% were considered and were matched by propensity scores (ratio of 1:4) to procedures performed using the open approach with a ratio of MILS to total resections per year of less than 30%.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was short-term outcomes, including morbidity, mortality, functional recovery, and interval between surgery and adjuvant treatments; the secondary end point was long-term outcomes.

Results

Among this cohort (104 patients in the MILS group; 46 women and 58 men; median age, 62 years [range, 35-81 years]; and 412 patients in the open group; 181 women and 231 men; median age, 60 years [range, 37-80 years]), primary end-point data showed a significantly higher incidence of postoperative morbidity in patients who underwent open resections compared with those who underwent MILS (94 [22.8%] vs 21 [20.2%]; P = .04). Patients in the MILS group had fewer major complications (Dindo-Clavien grades III-V) compared with patients in the open group (Dindo-Clavien grades III-V; 7 [6.7%] vs 35 [8.5%]; P = .03) as well as shorter lengths of stay (median [range] duration, 3 [2-35] vs 5 [4-37] days; P = .02). Oncologic results were not compromised by the laparoscopic approach.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, the results of the propensity score matching analysis between modern laparoscopic surgery and previous open surgery appear to confer more comparable cohorts for complexity, further supporting the advantages of laparoscopy in the surgical treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer. The increase in use that laparoscopy has experienced appears to be based on increased feasibility, widening of eligibility criteria for patients, enhanced clinical effectiveness, and oncologic outcomes. All these elements together suggest that up to 70% of patients appear to be candidates for this minimally invasive surgical approach in high-volume centers.