BACKGROUND: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invading into the major branches of the portal vein (Vp3) is extremely poor. METHODS: 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-alpha (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). RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: Simple combination therapy with subcutaneous interferon-alpha and intraarterial 5-fluorouracil therefore is a promising treatment modality for intractable HCC with Vp3.
BACKGROUND: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invading into the major branches of the portal vein (Vp3) is extremely poor. METHODS: 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-alpha (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). RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: Simple combination therapy with subcutaneous interferon-alpha and intraarterial 5-fluorouracil therefore is a promising treatment modality for intractable HCC with Vp3.
Authors: Y Tomimaru; H Eguchi; H Wada; T Noda; M Murakami; S Kobayashi; S Marubashi; Y Takeda; M Tanemura; K Umeshita; Y Doki; M Mori; H Nagano Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2010-04-20 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: Y Tomimaru; H Eguchi; H Nagano; H Wada; A Tomokuni; S Kobayashi; S Marubashi; Y Takeda; M Tanemura; K Umeshita; Y Doki; M Mori Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2010-10-26 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: T Noda; H Nagano; I Takemasa; S Yoshioka; M Murakami; H Wada; S Kobayashi; S Marubashi; Y Takeda; K Dono; K Umeshita; N Matsuura; K Matsubara; Y Doki; M Mori; M Monden Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2009-04-28 Impact factor: 7.640