HIPEC Methodology and Regimens: The Need for an Expert Consensus

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) exhibits significant variability in methodology and drug selection.
• Standardizing HIPEC regimens could enhance collective expertise and improve study comparability.
• This study investigates the feasibility of standardizing HIPEC methodology and drug regimens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the possibility of standardizing HIPEC methodology.
• To identify optimal drug regimens for HIPEC.
• To determine the best approach for standardizing HIPEC procedures.

Main Methods:

• Critical review of preclinical and clinical studies.
• Evaluation of pharmacokinetic data for HIPEC drugs and regimens.
• Analysis of studies on hyperthermia impact and regimen efficacy.

Main Results:

• Limited preclinical and clinical data exist for HIPEC regimens.
• Few studies directly compare different HIPEC regimens.
• Current regimens lack validation and do not consider tumor chemosensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Further translational research and early-phase clinical trials are necessary.
• Expert consensus on a limited set of regimens is the current best strategy for reducing heterogeneity.
• Personalized medicine, like patient-derived organoids, shows promise but requires clinical validation.