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Comparison of Yttrium-90 therapy for unresectable liver metastasis: glass versus biocompatible resin microspheres

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Journal of Radiation Oncology

Abstract

Objectives

Yttrium-90 radioembolization is a hepatic intra-arterial-based therapy using glass- or resin-based microspheres as carriers to deliver high-dose radiation to tumors to maximize dose while minimizing collateral damage. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of glass (TheraSphere) versus resin (Selective Internal Radiation Spheres, SIR-Spheres) Y-90 in the treatment of intrahepatic metastatic disease.

Methods

A review of a prospectively collected, institutional review board-approved database was conducted to identify patients who underwent Y-90 therapy, excluding those with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Results

Of 119 patients, 79 received SIR-Spheres and 40 received TheraSphere therapy. For intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, mean survival was 10.6 months in the SIR-Spheres group compared to 29.2 months in the TheraSphere group (log-rank 0.05). In colorectal cancer (CRC), mean survival was 16.3 months for SIR-Spheres therapy and 26.8 for TheraSphere therapy (log-rank 0.097). There were no documented severe (grade 3) side effects in the TheraSphere group compared to 14 % of patients who experienced side effects in the SIR-Spheres group.

Conclusions

TheraSphere microsphere appears superior to SIR-Spheres in treating non-HCC intrahepatic malignancy. However, patient selection and better multi-disciplinary care may play a role in these differences. Continued studies in combination therapies for all hepatic malignancies is critical to the long-term success and sustainability of Y-90 therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

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Correspondence to Robert CG Martin.

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Funding

The work was supported by the Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Burnett, N.P., Akinwande, O., Scoggins, C.R. et al. Comparison of Yttrium-90 therapy for unresectable liver metastasis: glass versus biocompatible resin microspheres. J Radiat Oncol 6, 101–108 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13566-016-0282-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13566-016-0282-3

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