Phase II study of hepatic arterial floxuridine, leucovorin, and dexamethasone for unresectable liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma.

Author(s): Kemeny N, Conti JA, Cohen A, Campana P, Huang Y, Shi WJ, Botet J, Pulliam S, Bertino JR

Affiliation(s): Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021.

Publication date & source: 1994-11, J Clin Oncol., 12(11):2288-95.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Clinical Trial, Phase II; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PURPOSE: To determine the toxicity, response rate, and survival of a regimen of hepatic arterial floxuridine (FUDR) with leucovorin (LV) and dexamethasone (Dec) for the treatment of unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients with hepatic metastases (33 previously untreated with chemotherapy) were treated with FUDR (0.30 mg/kg/d) and LV (15 mg/m2/d) and Dec (20 mg total dose) as a 14-day hepatic arterial infusion via an implantable pump alternating with 2 weeks of saline. RESULTS: The complete response (CR) plus partial response (PR) rate was 78% in previously untreated patients, with a median survival duration of 24.8 months; 1- and 2-year survival rates were 91% and 57%, respectively. In the previously treated group, the response rate was 52%, with a median survival duration of 13.5 months. Only 3% of patients (two of 62) developed biliary sclerosis; this was significantly lower than the 21% biliary sclerosis rate observed in our previous trial of hepatic arterial FUDR and LV without Dec (P = .002). CONCLUSION: The addition of Dec to hepatic arterial FUDR and LV reduces biliary toxicity while maintaining an excellent response rate and survival. We recommend that this treatment be studied further.