Hepatic artery administration of docetaxel in liver metastases from breast carcinoma: a feasibility study

Taxanes are largely metabolized and almost exclusively excreted in the feces by the liver through the biliary pathway, thus providing a rationale for investigating the activity of their hepatic artery delivery in case of liver metastases.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of administering docetaxel via the hepatic artery in advanced breast cancer patients in whom the liver was the only or the predominant site of metastatic involvement. The dose was increased cycle by cycle in a prospective manner.

Ten eligible patients were enrolled. The median administered dose in the last cycle was 65 mg/m2 (range, 40-100 mg/m2). The treatment was generally well tolerated, and only one patient stopped after two cycles because of toxicity. Four of the 9 eligible patients with assessable liver tumors achieved an objective response. After a median follow-up of 41 months, 4 of the 10 eligible (and 11 treated) patients were alive with a median overall survival of 46 months.

The administration of docetaxel via the hepatic artery is feasible. The highly interesting response and survival results observed in this limited series of patients warrant further studies.