Objective: The use of hepatic artery infusion (HAI) as a regional therapy against liver metastasis has rarely been reported in gastric cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HAI oxaliplatin plus oral S-1 chemotherapy in first-line palliative therapy for gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases (GCLM).
Methods: We reviewed the records of five patients with GCLM who received HAI oxaliplatin (70– 80 mg/m² 2 hrs d1,15) administered via a port-catheter system and S-1 with oral (35– 40 mg/m² twice daily for d1-14, 28 days for one cycle). Follow-up examination and efficacy evaluation were executed periodically.
Results: Until the 4th cycle response evaluation, the local effective rate and control rate were 40% and 80%, respectively; only one patient developed progression. HAI chemotherapy had a better local control against liver metastases (median progression-free survival: hepatic, 8.8 months vs. extrahepatic, 6.2 months), accompanied by less systemic toxicity, decreased tumour markers and symptomatic relief.
Conclusion: HAI oxaliplatin plus oral S-1 chemotherapy can be considered as a new choice of first-line treatment for GCLM, which is also a good approach for controlling extrahepatic lesions with less adverse events.
Keywords: gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases, nonresectional regional therapy, hepatic arterial infusion, port-catheter system, response evaluation, adverse events