[Intra-arterial chemotherapy with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for breast cancer before surgical treatment]

Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for far advanced breast cancer is now performed as a routine adjuvant chemotherapy before surgical treatment. However, the following problems remain unsolved; (1) serious adverse reactions such as myelosuppression, (2) unsuccessful insertion of catheter into the internal thoracic artery, and (3) long waiting-period from IAC to surgical treatment. The present studies were conducted to evaluate the utility of a one-route IAC, in which the subclavian artery alone is used, and the efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). There was no significant difference in the antitumor effect between the patients with two-route IAC, in which both internal thoracic artery and subclavian artery are used, and the patients with one-route IAC. Administration of G-CSF in combination with IAC reduced both the frequency and the severity of IAC-induced side effects. G-CSF administration during IAC was more effective than after IAC. G-CSF prevented IAC-induced myelo-suppression and/or accelerated recovery from this complication and thus reduced significantly the waiting-period before surgical treatment.