[Hepatic artery chemotherapy-embolization and biological response modifiers for late hepatic carcinoma]

Since 1989, 63 cases of far-advanced cases of primary hepatic carcinoma were treated by alternating courses of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy-embolization (HAIE) and biotherapy. For chemotherapy, mitomycin C, epiadriamycin (with lipiodol) and 5-Fu were used. Biotherapy consisted of systemic administration of gamma-interferon, interleukin 2 and transfer factor. Forty-four patients with late hepatic carcinoma were treated with HAIE alone, HAIE plus biotherapy resulted in more marked reduction in tumor size and serum AFP level as compared to that in the HAIE-treated patients. The 1- and 2-year survival rates of the two groups were 50.8% and 22% versus 40.9% and 6.8%, respectively.