Hyperthermochemotherapeutic in vivo isolated perfusion of the rat liver.

This report describes a system of in vivo isolated perfusion of the rat liver. The effects of perfusion with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (0.125-1.5 g/kg) on survival, liver function, and hepatic regeneration are studied. A dose of 0.125-0.25 g/kg of 5-FU produced acceptable toxicity with 0% and 25% mortality rate, but induced liver dysfunction indicated by abnormal biochemical values and severe inhibition of hepatic regeneration. Doses of 0.5 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg, and 1.5 g/kg produced a mortality of 60%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Regional hyperthermia (37-43 degrees C) achieved by perfusion of the liver with heated saline produced an adverse effect on survival, liver function and hepatic regeneration, which are both temperature- and perfusion time-dependent. Hyperthermochemotherapy using in vivo isolated hepatic perfusion might be acceptable for the treatment of unresectable liver cancer, but should not be utilized as an adjuvant therapy prior to hepatic resection without the use of hepatic growth factors which could reverse the inhibitory effect of hepatic perfusion.