Epidemiology of colorectal liver metastases

'Staged' liver resection in synchronous and metachronous colorectal hepatic metastases: differences in clinicopathological features and outcome

AIM

Approximately 25% of the patients with colorectal cancer already have liver metastases at diagnosis and another 30% will develop them subsequently. The features and prognosis of patients with synchronous and metachronus colorectal liver metastases, treated with primary resection first followed by partial liver resection were analysed.

METHOD

Curative staged resection of liver metastases was performed in 272 consecutive patients. Demographics, characteristics of the primary tumour and metastatic tumours, surgery-related data and outcome were analysed.

RESULTS

Synchronous metastases were present in 105 (39%) patients and metachronous metastases in 167 (61%). More patients in the synchronous group had an advanced primary tumour (T3/T4 and/or node positivity), more than three liver metastases and bilobar distribution. A significantly higher percentage of patients in the synchronous group received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The 5-year survival rate in the group of 272 patients was 38%. Patients with more than three metastases had a significantly worse survival rate. There were no differences in disease-free and overall survival rates between the synchronous and metachronous group.

CONCLUSION

Although patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases may have poorer biological features, there was no difference in 5-year disease-free and overall survival compared with patients with metachronous metastases. This may be explained by the observation that patients in the synchronous group received significantly more neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Serological diagnostic factors for liver metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer

AIM: To investigate the serological diagnostic factors for liver metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODS: One hundred and six adult in-patients with colorectal cancer were studied and divided into patients with liver metastasis (n = 56) and patients without liver metastasis (n = 50). Serum levels of tumor and biochemical markers for liver were measured at the time of diagnosis.

RESULTS: The mean survival time was 55.9 mo, 36.8 mo and 68.3 mo for the overall patients, patients with liver metastasis and patients without liver metastasis, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was significantly correlated with the survival time of colorectal cancer patients. The levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), LDH and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were significantly higher in patients with liver metastasis than in those without liver metastasis. Patients with lymph node metastasis had a higher risk of liver metastasis than those without lymph node metastasis. The cut points of LDH, GGT and CEA for screening liver metastasis were 180 U/L, 30 U/L and 5.0 μg/L, respectively. The sensitivity was 64.3%, 69.6% and 70.4%, and the specificity was 64.0%, 60.0% and 52.4%, respectively. The sensitivity of parallel test was 85.2% for LDH and CEA, and 92.6% for GGT and CEA, respectively. The specificity of serial test was 85.7% for LDH (or GGT) and CEA.

CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of liver metastasis is of great significance. The sensitivity and specificity of combined tumor and biochemical markers are rather good in screening colorectal liver metastasis.

Impact of complications after surgery for colorectal liver metastasis on patient survival

BACKGROUND

In some patients with colorectal liver metastases it is not clear whether liver resection or isolated liver perfusion is the best treatment option. For instance, the risk of complications after surgery may be so substantial and affect subsequent survival. Aim of the present study is to compare complication occurrence and its effect on survival after liver resection and perfusion.

METHODS

Patient records of all 225 patients with colorectal liver metastases treated with liver resection (n = 121) or liver perfusion (n = 104) in the period 1997-2006 were reviewed for complications during the initial hospitalisation until 30 d after discharge, and to assess patient survival until the last hospital visit. Median duration of follow-up was 38 mo for overall survival and 22 mo for survival after surgery.

RESULTS

Complications occurred less often in patients undergoing resection than perfusion (29.8% versus 49.0%, X(2) = 8.77, P < 0.01). Postoperative mortality rates were similar in both groups (4.1% and 4.8%, respectively). As expected, long term survival after liver surgery was better in the resection group: at 3 y, 60% of patients survived in the resection group, compared with 22% after liver perfusion (log rank X(2) = 35.29 P < 0.001). However, liver resection patients with postoperative complications, had similar survival as perfusion patients without complications (log rank X(2) = 2.45, p = 0.12). This remained after adjustment for differences between the patient groups at time of surgery.

CONCLUSION

Liver resection has superior long-term survival, but survival is significantly reduced by the occurrence of post-surgical complications. When complications occur after liver resection, survival is comparable to patients who underwent uncomplicated liver perfusion.

Multi-centre phase II clinical trial of yttrium-90 resin microspheres alone in unresectable, chemotherapy refractory colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

This multi-centre phase II clinical trial is the first prospective evaluation of radioembolisation of patients with colorectal liver metastases (mCRC) who failed previous oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based systemic chemotherapy regimens.

METHODS

Eligible patients had adequate hepatic, haemopoietic and renal function, and an absence of major hepatic vascular anomalies and hepato-pulmonary shunting. Gastroduodenal and right gastric arteries were embolised before hepatic arterial administration of yttrium-90 resin microspheres (median activity, 1.7 GBq; range, 0.9-2.2).

RESULTS

Of 50 eligible patients, 38 (76%) had received > or =4 lines of chemotherapy. Most presented with synchronous disease (72%), >4 hepatic metastases (58%), 25-50% replacement of total liver volume (60%) and bilateral spread (70%). Early and intermediate (>48 h) WHO G1-2 adverse events (mostly fever and pain) were observed in 16 and 22% of patients respectively. Two died due to renal failure at 40 days or liver failure at 60 days respectively. By intention-to-treat analysis using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours, 1 patient (2%) had a complete response, 11 (22%) partial response, 12 (24%) stable disease, 22 (44%) progressive disease; 4 (8%) were non-evaluable. Median overall survival was 12.6 months (95% CI, 7.0-18.3); 2-year survival was 19.6%.

CONCLUSION

Radioembolisation produced meaningful response and disease stabilisation in patients with advanced, unresectable and chemorefractory mCRC.

Role of Kupffer cells in the outgrowth of colorectal cancer liver metastases

Colorectal cancer is one of the commonest malignancies in the "developed" world. The liver constitutes the main host organ for its distant metastases which, when present, augur a bad prognosis for the disease. Kupffer cells (KCs) are macrophages that constantly reside within the liver and form an effective first line defence against multiple harmful agents which reach the hepatic sinusoids via the portal circulation. KCs remove chemical compounds and dead or damaged cells, eliminate bacteria and protect against invading tumour cells. They may play a crucial tumouricidal role, exerting cytotoxic and cytostatic functions through the release of multiple cytokines and chemokines. Subsequently, colorectal metastasising cells are destroyed either by KC-performed phagocytosis or via the stimulation of other immune cells which migrate into the sinusoids and act accordingly. On the contrary, KC products, including cytokines, growth factors and matrix-degrading enzymes may promote liver metastasis, supporting tumour cell extravasation, motility and invasion. Current research aims to exploit the antineoplastic properties of KCs in new therapeutic approaches of colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Numerous agents, such as the granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, interferon gamma, muramyl peptide analogues and various antibody based treatments, have been tested in experimental models with promising results. Future trials may investigate their use in everyday clinical practice and compare their therapeutic value with current treatment of the disease.

Distinct populations of metastases-enabling myeloid cells expand in the liver of mice harboring invasive and preinvasive intra-abdominal tumor

The liver is the most common site of adenocarcinoma metastases, even in patients who initially present with early disease. We postulated that immune-suppressive cells in the liver of tumor-bearing hosts inhibit anti-tumor T cells, thereby accelerating the growth of liver metastases. Using models of early preinvasive pancreatic neoplasia and advanced colorectal cancer, aims of this study were to determine immune phenotype, stimulus for recruitment, inhibitory effects, and tumor-enabling function of immune-suppressive cells in the liver of tumor-bearing hosts. We found that in mice with intra-abdominal malignancies, two distinct CD11b(+)Gr1(+) populations with divergent phenotypic and functional properties accumulate in the liver, becoming the dominant hepatic leukocytes. Their expansion is contingent on tumor expression of KC. These cells are distinct from CD11b(+)Gr1(+) populations in other tissues of tumor-bearing hosts in terms of cellular phenotype and cytokine and chemokine profile. Liver CD11b(+)Gr1(+) cells are highly suppressive of T cell activation, proliferation, and cytotoxicity and induce the development of Tregs. Moreover, liver myeloid-derived suppressor cells accelerate the development of hepatic metastases by inactivation of cytotoxic T cells. These findings may explain the propensity of patients with intra-abdominal cancers to develop liver metastases and suggest a promising target for experimental therapeutics.

Tumor cell-microenvironment interaction models coupled with clinical validation reveal CCL2 and SNCG as two predictors of colorectal cancer hepatic metastasis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify novel biological markers for the prediction of colorectal cancer liver metastasis.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We established two models that mimicked the interactions between colorectal tumor cells and the liver microenvironment. From these models we established subcell lines that had an enhanced ability to metastasize to the liver. Genes that related to hepatic metastasis were screened by microarray. The candidate markers were tested by immunohistochemistry, and their predictive accuracy was assessed by the cross-validation method and an independent test set.

RESULTS

Highly metastatic colon cancer cell sublines SW1116p21 and SW1116v3 were established from the tumor cell-microenvironment interaction models. Seven of the up-regulated genes in the sublines were selected as candidate markers for predicting metastatic potential. A total of 245 colorectal cancer samples were divided into a training set containing 117 cases and a test set containing 128 cases. In the training set, immunohistochemical analysis showed CCL2 and SNCG expression was higher in the hepatic metastasis group than in the nonmetastasis group, and was correlated with poor survival. Logistic regression analysis revealed that CCL2 and SNCG levels in primary tumors, serum carcinoembryonic antigen level, and lymph node metastasis status were the only significant (P < 0.05) parameters for detecting liver metastasis. In leave-one-out-cross-validation, the two markers, when combined with clinicopathologic features, resulted in 90.5% sensitivity and 90.7% specificity for hepatic metastasis detection. In an independent test set, the combination achieved 87.5% sensitivity and 82% specificity for predicting the future hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that these models are able to mimic the interactions between colorectal cancer cells and the liver microenvironment, and may represent a promising strategy to identify metastasis-related genes. CCL2 and SNCG, combined with clinicopathologic features, may be used as accurate predictors of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer.

Local treatment for recurrent colorectal hepatic metastases after partial hepatectomy

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to identify patients who may benefit from local treatment in recurrent colorectal liver metastases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 51 consecutive patients were treated for hepatic recurrence(s) after an initial partial hepatic resection. Surgery was considered as the primary treatment option for eligible patients. Patients with a small liver remnant after major hepatectomy were treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SRx). SRx was given as an outpatient, emerging local treatment option for patients with intra-hepatic recurrences not eligible for surgery or RFA. Partial liver resection was performed in 36 patients (70%), RFA in ten patients (20%), and SRx in five patients (10%).

RESULTS

Median hospital stay was 7 (range, 3-62) days with a morbidity of 16% without in-hospital death. None of the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. There was no difference in recurrence or survival between the three treatment modalities. Overall 5-year survival was 35% with an estimated median survival of 37 months. Patients with a disease-free interval between first hepatectomy and hepatic recurrence less than 6 months did not survive 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Resection, RFA, and SRx can be performed safely in patients with recurrent colorectal liver metastases and offer a survival that seems comparable to primary liver resections of colorectal liver metastases.

Prognostic factors of survival in repeat liver resection for recurrent colorectal metastases: review of sixty-two cases treated at a single institution

PURPOSE

Liver metastases develop in 50 percent of patients with colorectal carcinoma. Recurrent liver disease is usual. Repeat liver resection remains the only curative treatment. The aim of this study was to review our data on repeat hepatectomy and to analyze potential prognostic factors of survival.

METHOD

Patients who underwent repeat liver resection for metastases of colorectal carcinoma between January 1992 and August 2007 were identified from a prospective database and their medical records were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 62 patients who underwent a second hepatectomy, 15 underwent a third hepatectomy, and two underwent a fourth hepatectomy. There was no perioperative mortality. Morbidity was less than 20 percent for the first and second hepatectomies. Overall 5-year survival rate after first hepatectomy was 40 percent. Univariate analysis identified three risk factors confirmed by log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression analysis: serum carcinoembryonic antigen concentrations >5 ng/ml at first hepatectomy (HR = 2.265; CI = 1.140-4.497; P = 0.020), anatomic resection (HR = 2.124; CI = 1.069-4.218; P = 0.031), and tumors > or =3 cm at the second resection (HR = 2.039; CI = 1.013-4.103; P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that repeat hepatectomy for liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma may be performed with low mortality and morbidity. Preoperative concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen at first hepatectomy, tumor size, and type of anatomic resection are independent prognostic factors.

Salvage therapy for liver-dominant colorectal metastatic adenocarcinoma: comparison between transcatheter arterial chemoembolization versus yttrium-90 radioembolization

PURPOSE

To compare transarterial chemoembolization (CE) versus yttrium-90 ((90)Y) radioembolization (RE) for liver-dominant metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma as salvage therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 36 patients, 21 underwent CE (37 procedures; 11 men; mean age, 67 years; 16 with Child-Pugh class A disease) and 15 underwent (90)Y RE (19 procedures; 11 men; mean age, 64 years; 13 with Child-Pugh class A disease) for liver-dominant colorectal adenocarcinoma. Mean index dominant lesion sizes were 9.3 cm and 8.2 cm in the CE and RE groups, respectively. Multilobar disease was seen in 67% and 87% of the respective groups, and extrahepatic metastases were seen in 43% and 33%, respectively. Mean times from diagnosis of liver metastasis to CE or RE were 17.6 months and 22.6 months, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 37 CE procedures with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and mitomycin were performed, and 19 RE procedures with (90)Y were performed; 43% of patients in the CE group and 20% in the RE group received multiple treatment sessions, and 100% of procedures were technically successful. Median survival times were 7.7 months for the CE group and 6.9 months for the RE group (P = .27). The 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates were 43%, 10%, and 0%, respectively, in the CE group; and 34%, 18%, and 0%, respectively, in the RE group. There was one major complication (2.7%) in the CE group (pulmonary embolism), with a 30-day mortality rate of 5.4% (n = 2). There were no major complications in the RE group, with a 30-day mortality rate of 5.2% (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with unresectable liver colorectal metastases that progress despite systemic chemotherapy can undergo palliative treatment with CE or RE with similar survival benefit.