Hypoxic antiblastic stop-flow perfusion: clinical outcome and pharmacokinetic findings

Stop-flow perfusion (SFP) is a recently implemented locoregional treatment based on the vascular isolation of the tumor bearing body district through a radiointerventistic technique. SFP is currently under investigation as a palliative therapeutic option for patients with locally advanced tumors. This paper reports on the results of our prospective study of limb and pelvic SFP. Thirty-seven patients were treated with SFP. No postoperative deaths occurred. Locoregional and systemic toxicity were observed after 22 and 31 treatments, respectively; complete and partial response after 3 (6%) and 24 (51%) SFPs, respectively. The pharmacokinetic study showed that pelvic SFP was associated with a leakage rate higher than femoral SFP (38% vs 28%). In conclusion, SFP is a feasible procedure. Toxicity and tumor response rates strictly depend upon drug leakage control.