[Continuous hepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil with leucovorin for unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer]

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2000 Oct;27(12):1897-9.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Twenty-three patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer were treated by continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with 5-FU and Leucovorin. The regimen was that 500 mg/body of 5-FU with 30 mg/body of Leucovorin was administered continuously for 5 days, followed by no medication for 16 days. The effect of this therapy was evaluated and the relationship between this therapy and the overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or microvessel density (MVD) was also studied. Complete response was obtained in 4 patients and partial response in 3 patients; the response rate was 32%. The response rate was 60% in patients who underwent more than 7 courses. The response rate was 44% in patients with positive VEGF and 33% in patients with negative VEGF. The response rate was 50% in patients with an MVD of more than 30 and 33% in patients with an MVD of less than 30. The 3-year survival rate for patients who underwent more than 7 courses was 37.5%. This therapy had to be abandoned in 6 patients due to occlusion of the catheter. Skillful maintenance of the catheter is necessary for a high response rate and satisfactory prognosis using this therapy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Hepatic Artery
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intra-Arterial
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lymphokines / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Lymphokines
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil