Intrahepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy: clinical results

Approximately 60% of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) will go on to develop hepatic metastases. Although surgical resection is the only curative modality, a majority will not be able to undergo surgery. Alternative methods for treating this population have focused on the feasibility of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of chemotherapy. Randomized data in this field have been hampered due to small numbers of patients in some trials, or crossover between groups. However, most trials have suggested an improvement in both overall and progression-free survival with HAI therapy. Dose-limiting toxicity associated with HAI is related to hepatobiliary sclerosis, which has been reduced with the use of dexamethasone as part of the treatment. Current research is underway to improve the rate of extrahepatic metastases in patients undergoing HAI.