Abstract
The fluoropyrimidines 5-FU and FUDR are antimetabolites that have limited activity in the treatment of patients with colorectal metastases. The availability of implantable or portable drug infusion pumps has caused a renewed interest in continuous infusion therapy using these drugs for patients with colorectal metastases to the liver. While the search for new, more effective agents or combinations continues, it is reasonable to evaluate dose schedules and drug combinations that would maximize the effectiveness of these fluoropyrimidines and lower their toxicity in investigational protocols. In most series both drugs have higher response rates, less myelosuppression, but greater liver toxicity when given by continuous intraarterial infusions compared to bolus injections given intravenously. Nevertheless, there is still insufficient data to conclude that survival rates are sufficiently prolonged in patients for whom an implantable drug infusion pump has been used for regional FUDR chemotherapy. On the other hand, symptomatic patients may have sufficient palliation to constitute an identifiable group for whom this approach is justified. Results of several randomized prospective studies addressing the efficacy of regional versus systemic FUDR chemotherapy infusions will be available in the near future. If these demonstrate improved survival for patients receiving regional FUDR chemotherapy, it will be appropriate to consider this approach in selected patient settings. Until such data are available, routine use of this approach in asymptomatic patients is not warranted.
Résumé
Les fluoropyrimidines 5-FU et FUDR sont des antimétabolites qui ont une action limitée dans le traitement des malades porteurs de métastases colo-rectales. La possibilité de disposer de pompes implantables ou portables pour infuser des drogues est à l'origine d'un renouveau d'interêt pour l'injection continue d'agents antimitotiques susceptibles d'agir contre les métastases hépatiques des cancers colo-rectaux. Pendant que la recherche de nouveaux agents se poursuit, il est raisonnable d'apprécier les doses et les combinaisons de drogues qui devraient augmenter l'efficacité des fluoropyrimidines et diminuer leur toxicité en ayant recours à de nouveaux protocoles. Dans la majorité des séries, les 2 drogues sont plus actives, exercent une action moins marquée sur la moelle, mais leur toxicité sur le foie est plus grande, lorsqu'elles sont administrées par infusion intra-artérielle continue au lieu d'être administrées par injection discontinue. A ce jour, les données recueillies chez les malades porteurs d'une pompe implantable permettant la chimiothérapie régionale par le FUDR sont insuffisantes pour conclure que la durée de la survie est prolongée. Par ailleurs, les malades qui présentent des troubles symptomatiques peuvent bénéficier d'un répit qui justifie cette méthode renouvelée de traitement. Les résultats de plusieurs études prospectives randomisées concernant l'efficacité de la chimiothérapie régionale avec le FUDR par rapport à la chimiothérapie générale seront rapidement disponibles. Si ces résultats se montrent favorables la méthode pourra s'appliquer à des malades sélectionnés. Pour le moment et jusqu'à la conclusion de ces études, l'emploi systématique de la méthode chez les malades qui accusent des troubles n'est pas justifié.
Resumen
Las fluoropirimidinas 5-FU y FUDR son antimetabolitos de limitada actividad en el tratamiento de pacientes con metástasis colorrectales. La disponibilidad de bombas implantables a portátiles de infusión ha causado renovado interés en la terapia por infusión continua de estas drogas en pacientes con metástasis hepáticas de cáncer calorrectal. En tanto que continúa la búsqueda de nuevos y más efectivos agentes o combinaciones de agentes, aparece razonable la valoración de las dosis y de las combinaciones de las drogas para lograr la máxima efectividad de las fluoropirimidinas y rebajar su toxicidad en protocolos de investigación. En la mayoría de las series ambas drogas exhiben mayores tasas de respuesta y menor mielosupresión, pero más toxicidad hepática, cuando se administran por infusión intraarterial continua en comparación con inyección de bolos. Sin embargo, todavía los datos son insuficientes para llegar a la conclusión de que las tasas de superviviencia resultan suficientemente prolongadas en los pacientes sometidos a quimioterapia con FUDR por infusión con bomba implantable. Por otra parte, los pacientes sintomáticos pueden recibir suficiente paliación como para constituir un grupo identificable para el cual este enfoque está justificado. Pronto estarán disponibles los resultados de varios estudios prospectivos y aleatorizados orientados a determinar la eficacia de la quimioterapia regional versus sistémica, con FUDR. Si éstos demuestran mejoría en la supervivencia de pacientes que reciben quimioterapia regional con FUDR, será apropiado considerar este aproche en situaciones clínicas seleccionadas. Hasta que tales datos estén disponibles no se justifica el uso rutinario de este método en pacientes asintomáticos.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ensminger, W.D., Rosowsky, A., Raso, V., Levin, D.C., Glode, M., Come, S., Steele, G., Frei, E., III: A clinical-pharmacological evaluation of hepatic arterial infusions of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine and 5-fluorouracil. Cancer Res.38:3784, 1978
Lokich, J.J.: Hepatic artery chemotherapy: The relative importance of direct organ distribution vs. the constant-infusion schedule. Am. J. Clin. Oncol.7:125, 1984
Seifert, P., Baker, L.H., Reed, M.L., Vaitkevicius, V.K.: Comparison of continuously infused 5-fluorouracil with bolus injection in treatment of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. Cancer36:123, 1975
Hohn, D., Melnick, J., Stagg, R., Altman, D., Friedman, M., Ignoffo, R., Ferrell, L., Lewis, B.: Biliary sclerosis in patients receiving hepatic arterial infusions and floxuridine. J. Clin. Oncol.3:98, 1985
Hohn, D.C., Rayner, A.A., Economou, J.S., Ignoffo, R.J., Lewis, B., Stagg, R.J.: Toxicities and complications of implanted pump hepatic arterial and intravenous floxuridine infusion. Cancer57: 465, 1986
Balch, C.M., Urist, M.M., Soong, S.-J., McGregor, M.: A prospective phase II clinical trial of continuous FUDR regional chemotherapy for colorectal metastases to the liver using a totally implantable drug infusion pump. Ann. Surg.198:567, 1983
Doria, M.R., Shepard, K.V., Levin, B., Riddell, R.H.: Liver pathology following hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy: Hepatic toxicity with FUDR. Cancer58:855, 1986
Shepard, K.V., Levin, B., Faintuch, J., Doria, M.I., Riddell, R.H.: Hepatitis in patients receiving intraarterial chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Am. J. Clin. Oncol.5:1, 1986
Shea, W.J., Demas, B.S., Goldberg, H.J., Hohn, D.C.: Sclerosing cholangitis associated with hepatic arterial 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (5-FUDR) chemotherapy: Radiologic histologic correlation. A.J.R.146:717, 1986
Kemeny, N., Daly, J., Oderman, P., Shike, M., Petroni, G., Geller, N.: Hepatic artery infusion: Toxicity and results in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma. J. Clin. Oncol.2:595, 1984
Kemeny, M.M., Battifora, H., Blayney, D.W., Cecchi, G., Goldberg, D.A., Leong, L.A., Margolin, K.A., Terz, J.J.: Sclerosing cholangitis after continuous hepatic artery infusion of FUDR. Ann. Surg.202:176, 1985
Ansfield, F.J., Ramirez, G., Davis, H.L., Jr., Wirtanen, G.W., Johnson, R.O., Bryan, G.T., Manalo, F.B., Borden, E.C., Davis, T.E., Esmaili, M.: Further clinical studies with intrahepatic arterial infusion with 5-fluorouracil. Cancer36:2413, 1975
Cady, B., Oberfield, R.A.: Regional infusion chemotherapy of hepatic metastases from carcinoma of the colon. Am. J. Surg.127:220, 1974
Patt, Y.Z., Mavligit, G.M., Chuang, V.P., Wallace, S., Johnston, S., Benjamin, R.S., Valdivieso, M., Hersh, E.M.: Percutaneous hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of mitomycin C and floxuridine (FUDR): An effective treatment for metastatic colorectal carcinoma in the liver. Cancer46:261, 1980
Petrek, J.A., Minton, J.P.: Treatment of hepatic metastases by percutaneous hepatic arterial infusion. Cancer43:2182, 1979
Reed, M.L., Vaitkevicius, V.K., Al-Sarraf, M., Vaughn, C.B., Singhakowinta, A., Sexton-Porte, M., Izbicki, R., Baker, L., Straatsma, G.W.: The practicality of chronic hepatic artery infusion therapy of primary and metastatic hepatic malignancies: Ten year results of 124 patients in a prospective protocol. Cancer47: 402, 1981
Sullivan, R.D., Norcross, J.W., Watkins, E., Jr.: Chemotherapy of metastatic liver cancer by prolonged hepatic-artery infusion. N. Engl. J. Med.270:321, 1964
Watkins, E., Jr., Khazei, A.M., Nahra, K.S.: Surgical basis for arterial infusion chemotherapy of disseminated carcinoma of the liver. Surg. Gynecol. Obstet.110:581, 1970
Dorr, R.T., Trinca, C.E., Griffith, K., Dombrowsky, P.L., Salmon, S.E.: Limitations of a portable infusion pump in ambulatory patients receiving continuous infusions of anticancer drugs. Cancer Treat. Rep.63:211, 1979
Cady, B.: Hepatic arterial patency and complications after catheterization for infusion chemotherapy. Ann. Surg.178:156, 1973
Clouse, M.E., Ahmed, R., Ryan, R.B., Oberfield, R.A., McCassrey, J.A.: Complications of long-term transbrachial hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. A.J.R.129:799, 1977
Oberfield, R.A., McCaffrey, J.A., Polio, J., Clouse, M.E., Hamilton, T.: Prolonged and continuous percutaneous intra-arterial hepatic infusion chemotherapy in advanced metastatic liver adenocarcinoma from colorectal primary. Cancer44:414, 1979
Blackshear, P.J.: Implantable drug-delivery systems. Sci. Am.241:66, 1979
Blackshear, P.J., Dorman, F.D., Blackshear, P.L., Jr., Varco, R.L., Buchwald, H.: The design and initial testing of an implantable infusion pump. Surg. Gynecol. Obstet.134:51, 1972
Balch, C.M., Urist, M.D., McGregor, M.L.: Continuous regional chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer using a totally implantable infusion pump: A feasibility study in 50 patients. Am. J. Surg.145:285, 1983
Ensminger, W., Niederhuber, J., Dakhil, S., Thrall, J., Wheeler, R.: Totally implanted drug delivery system for hepatic arterial chemotherapy. Cancer Treat. Rep.65:393, 1981
Roemeling, R.V., Hrushesky, W.J.W., Kennedy, B.J., Buchwald, H.: Programmed automatic FUDR chronotherapy improves thereapeutic index. Surg. Forum37:400, 1986
Daly, J.M., Butler, J., Kemeny, N., Yeh, S.D.J., Ridge, J.A., Botet, J., Bading, J.R., DeCosse, J.J., Benua, R.S.: Predicting tumor response in patients with colorectal hepatic metastases. Ann. Surg.202:384, 1985
Kaplan, W.D., D'Orsi, C.J., Ensminger, W.D., Levin, D.C.: Intra-arterial radionuclide infusion: A new technique to assess chemotherapy perfusion patterns. Cancer Treat. Rep.62:699, 1978
Niederhuber, J.E., Ensminger, W.D.: Surgical considerations in the management of hepatic neoplasia. Semin. Oncol.10:135, 1983
Daly, J.M., Kemeny, N., Oderman, P., Botet, J.: Long-term hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy: Anatomic considerations, operative technique and treatment morbidity. Arch. Surg.119:936, 1984
Kemeny, M.M., Hogan, J.M., Goldberg, D.A., Lieu, C., Beatty, D., Kokal, W.A., Riihimaki, D.U. Terz, J.J.: Continuous hepatic artery infusion with an implantable pump: Problems with hepatic artery anomalies. Surgery99:501, 1986
Cohen, A.M., Kaufman, S.D., Wood, W.C., Greenfield, A.J.: Regional hepatic chemotherapy using an implantable drug infusion pump. Am. J. Surg.145:529, 1983
Balch, C.M., Urist, M.M.: Intra-arterial chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases and hepatomas using a totally implantable drug infusion pump. In Recent Results in Cancer Research, C. Herfarth, editor, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, Springer-Verlag, 1986, p. 235
Shepard, K.V., Levin, B., Karl, R.C., Faintuch, J., DuBrow, R.A., Hagle, M., Cooper, R.M., Beschorner, J., Stablein, D.: Therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer with hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy using subcutaneous implanted pump. J. Clin. Oncol.3:161, 1985
Stephens, F.O., Crea, P., Waler, P.J.: The implantable “Infusaid.” The Sydney experience using 5-fluorouracil. Med. J. Aust.144:74, 1986
Patt, Y.Z., Boddie, A.W., Jr., Charnsangavej, C., Ajani, J.A., Wallace, S., Soski, M., Claghorn, L., Mavligit, G.M.: Hepatic arterial infusion with floxuridine and cisplatin: Overriding importance of antitumor effect versus degree of tumor burden as determinants of survival among patients with colorectal cancer. J. Clin. Oncol.4:1356, 1986
Lokich, J.J., editor: Cancer Chemotherapy by Infusion, Chicago, Precep Press (in press)
Niederhuber, J.E., Ensminger, W., Gyves, J., Thrall, J., Walker, S., Cozzi, E.: Regional chemotherapy of colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver. Cancer53:1336, 1984
Barone, R.M., Byfield, J.E., Goldfarb, P.B., Frankel, S., Ginn, S., Greer, S.: Intra-arterial chemotherapy using an implantable infusion pump and liver irradiation for the treatment of hepatic metastases. Cancer50:850, 1982
Kemeny, N., Reichman, B., Oderman, P., Daly, J., Geller, N.: Update of randomized study of fluoro-deoxyuridine (FUDR) in patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Proc. A.S.C.O.5:89, 1986
Roemeling, R., Berestka, J., Langevin, T.R., Wick, M., Lakatua, P., Olshefski, R., Mormont, C., Hrushesky, W.J.M.: The circadian timing of FUDR determines its toxicity. Proc. A.A.C.R.27:417, 1986
Hrushesky, W.J.M.: Circadian timing of cancer chemotherapy. Science228:73, 1985
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Balch, C.M., Levin, B. Regional and systemic chemotherapy for colorectal metastases to the liver. World J. Surg. 11, 521–526 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01655818
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01655818