Combined intraarterial 5‐fluorouracil and subcutaneous interferon‐α therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in the major portal branches

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Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>BACKGROUND</jats:title><jats:p>The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invading into the major branches of the portal vein (Vp3) is extremely poor.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>METHODS</jats:title><jats:p>Eleven consecutive patients with HCC and Vp3 were treated with 2–6 cycles of a “basic” combination therapy consisting of continuous arterial infusion of 5‐fluorouracil (450–500 mg/day, for the initial 2 weeks) and subcutaneous injection of interferon‐α (5 million international units, 3 times/week, 4 weeks). In the first 3 patients, methotrexate (90 mg/day 1 of every week), cisplatin (10 mg/day), and leucovorin (30 mg/days 2 and 3 of every week) also were administered for the initial 2 weeks (“full” regimen).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>RESULTS</jats:title><jats:p>In 8 (73%) of 11 patients, an objective response (complete response [CR] or partial response [PR]) was observed with marked regression of tumor and decrease in tumor markers. The use of the full regimen was associated with objective response in all patients; instead, they developed thrombocytopenia or leukopenia. In the subsequent 8 patients with basic regimen, 5 patients showed CR (2 cases) or PR (3 cases; objective response rate, 63%), and leukopenia was observed only in 1 patient.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>CONCLUSIONS</jats:title><jats:p>Simple combination therapy with subcutaneous interferon‐α and intraarterial 5‐fluorouracil therefore is a promising treatment modality for intractable HCC with Vp3. Cancer 2002;94:435–42. © 2002 American Cancer Society.</jats:p></jats:sec>

Journal

  • Cancer

    Cancer 94 (2), 435-442, 2002-01-15

    Wiley

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