Phase I Study of Hepatic Arterial Infusion of Floxuridine and Dexamethasone With Systemic Irinotecan for Unresectable Hepatic Metastases From Colorectal Cancer

Minimum Requirements to Safely Establish and Sustain New Hepatic Arterial Infusion Pump Programs: An International Expert Perspective

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) pump chemotherapy is an effective therapy for colorectal liver metastases and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In the setting of recent reports suggesting favorable outcomes in these diseases with HAI, there has been a surge in interest in this treatment worldwide, prompting the opening of many new HAI programs. While significant technical expertise is required for pump implantation, this alone is insufficient to open a safe and sustainable HAI program, and numerous other factors must be considered prior to the first pump implantation. This expert perspective, established using an anonymous web-based survey of experienced multidisciplinary international HAI providers, details the minimum required personnel, expertise, training, and infrastructure to optimize success and sustainability of a safe and effective new HAI program.

Intraarterial Chemotherapy for Liver Metastases

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancers globally in terms of both incidence and cancer-related mortality. Liver metastatic disease is the main prognostic driver for patients with CRC. The management options for liver metastatic CRC continue to evolve, particularly with the incorporation of locoregional therapies into the treatment paradigm. Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy is one such liver directed approach used with the goal of converting patients to liver resection, reducing the risk of recurrence, treating recurrent disease, and most importantly improving overall survival. This article summarizes the role of HAI chemotherapy in the treatment of liver metastatic CRC.

ARID1A loss sensitizes colorectal cancer cells to floxuridine

The loss-of-function mutation of AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) frequently occurs in various types of cancer, making it a promising therapeutic target. In the present study, we performed a screening of an FDA-approved drug library in ARID1A isogenic colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and discovered that ARID1A loss sensitizes CRC cells to floxuridine (FUDR), an antineoplastic agent used for treating hepatic metastases from CRC, both in vivo and in vitro. As a pyrimidine analogue, FUDR induces DNA damage by inhibiting thymidylate synthase (TS) activity. ARID1A, as a regulator of DNA damage repair, when lost, exacerbates FUDR-induced DNA damage, leading to increased cell apoptosis. Specifically, ARID1A deficiency impairs DNA damage repair by downregulating Chk2 phosphorylation, thereby sensitizing cancer cells to FUDR. Notably, we found that FUDR exhibited increased sensitivity in ARID1A-deficient cells compared to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a commonly used anticancer drug for CRC. This suggests that FUDR is superior to 5-FU in treating ARID1A-deficient CRC. In conclusion, ARID1A loss significantly heightens sensitivity to FUDR by promoting FUDR-induced DNA damage in CRC. These findings offer a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of CRC characterized by ARID1A loss-of-function mutations.

A Modified Floxuridine Reduced-Dose Protocol for Patients with Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases Treated with Hepatic Arterial Infusion

BACKGROUND

Most patients treated with the standard dosing protocol (SDP) of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) floxuridine require dose holds and reductions, thereby limiting their HAI therapy. We hypothesized that a modified dosing protocol (MDP) with a reduced floxuridine starting dose would decrease dose holds, dose reductions, and have similar potential to convert patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (uCRLM) to resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed our institutional database of patients with uCRLM treated with HAI between 2016 and 2022. In 2019, we modified the floxuridine starting dose to 50% (0.06 mg/kg) of the SDP (0.12 mg/kg). We compared treatment related outcomes between the SDP and MDP cohorts.

RESULTS

Of n = 33 patients, 15 (45%) were treated on the SDP and 18 (55%) with our new institutional MDP. The MDP cohort completed more cycles before a dose reduction (mean 4.2 vs. 2), received more overall cycles (median 7.5 vs. 5), and averaged 39 more days of treatment (all P < 0.05). The SDP experienced more dose reductions (1.4 vs. 0.61) and dose holds (1.2 vs. 0.2; both P < 0.01). Of the patients in each group potentially convertible to hepatic resection, three patients (23%) in the SDP and six patients (35%) in the MDP group converted to resection (P = 0.691). Overall, four patients (27%) in the SDP developed treatment ending biliary toxicity compared with one patient (6%) in the MDP.

CONCLUSIONS

A 50% starting dose of HAI floxuridine provides fewer treatment disruptions, more consecutive floxuridine cycles, and a similar potential to convert patients with initially uCRLM for disease clearance.

Intra-arterial therapy for unresectable colorectal liver metastases: A meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI), conventional trans-arterial chemoembolization (cTACE), drug-eluting embolic trans-arterial chemoembolization (DEE-TACE), trans-arterial radioembolization (TARE) and their combinations with systemic chemotherapy (SCT) for unresectable colorectal liver metastases.

METHODS

A search was conducted on EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science for prospective non-randomized studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to 20^th June 2020. Survival data of patients were recovered from original Kaplan-Meier curves by exploiting a graphical reconstructive algorithm. One-stage meta-analyses were conducted for median overall survival (OS), survival rates (SR), and restricted mean survival time (RMST), while two-stage meta-analyses of proportions were conducted to determine response rates (RR) and conversion-to-resection rates (CRR).

RESULTS

71 prospective non-randomized studies and 21 RCTs were identified comprising 6,695 patients. Among patients treated beyond first line, DEE-TACE+SCT (n=152) had the best survival outcomes of median OS of 26.5 (95%-CI: 22.5-29.1) months and 3-year RMST of 23.6 (95%-CI: 21.8-25.5) months. Upon further stratification by publication year, DEE-TACE+SCT appears to consistently have the highest pooled survival rates at 1-year (81.9%) and 2-years (66.1%) in recent publications (2015-2020). DEE-TACE+SCT and HAI+SCT had the highest pooled-RRs of 56.7% (I²=0.90) and 62.6% (I²=0.87) respectively and pooled-CRRs of 35.5% (I²=0.00) and 30.3% (I²=0.80) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Albeit significant heterogeneity, paucity of high-quality evidence and the non-comparative nature of all analyses, the overall evidence suggests that patients treated with DEE-TACE+SCT may have the best oncological outcomes and greatest potential to be converted for resection.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Pumps: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) entails the surgical implantation of a subcutaneous pump to deliver chemotherapeutic agents directly to the liver in the setting of primary or secondary liver cancer. The purpose of HAI chemotherapy is to maximize hepatic drug concentrations while minimizing systemic toxicity, facilitating more effective treatment. HAI is used in combination with systemic chemotherapy and can be considered in several clinical scenarios, including adjuvant therapy, conversion of unresectable disease to resectable disease, and unresectable disease. Radiologists are key members of the multidisciplinary team involved in the selection and management of these patients with complex liver disease. As these devices begin to be used at more sites across the country, radiologists should become familiar with the guiding principles behind pump placement, expected imaging appearances of these devices, and potential associated complications. The authors provide an overview of HAI therapy, with a focus on the key imaging findings associated with this treatment that radiologists may encounter. ^©RSNA, 2021.

Review of Intra-Arterial Therapies for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis

Simple Summary

Colorectal cancer liver metastasis occurs in more than 50% of patients with colorectal cancer and is thought to be the most common cause of death from this cancer. The mainstay of treatment for inoperable liver metastasis has been combination systemic chemotherapy with or without the addition of biological targeted therapy with a goal for disease downstaging, for potential curative resection, or more frequently, for disease control. For patients with dominant liver metastatic disease or limited extrahepatic disease, liver-directed intra-arterial therapies including hepatic arterial chemotherapy infusion, chemoembolization and radioembolization are alternative treatment strategies that have shown promising results, most commonly in the salvage setting in patients with chemo-refractory disease. In recent years, their role in the first-line setting in conjunction with concurrent systemic chemotherapy has also been explored. This review aims to provide an update on the current evidence regarding liver-directed intra-arterial treatment strategies and to discuss potential trends for the future.

Abstract

The liver is frequently the most common site of metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer, occurring in more than 50% of patients. While surgical resection remains the only potential curative option, it is only eligible in 15–20% of patients at presentation. In the past two decades, major advances in modern chemotherapy and personalized biological agents have improved overall survival in patients with unresectable liver metastasis. For patients with dominant liver metastatic disease or limited extrahepatic disease, liver-directed intra-arterial therapies such as hepatic arterial chemotherapy infusion, chemoembolization and radioembolization are treatment strategies which are increasingly being considered to improve local tumor response and to reduce systemic side effects. Currently, these therapies are mostly used in the salvage setting in patients with chemo-refractory disease. However, their use in the first-line setting in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy as well as to a lesser degree, in a neoadjuvant setting, for downstaging to resection have also been investigated. Furthermore, some clinicians have considered these therapies as a temporizing tool for local disease control in patients undergoing a chemotherapy ‘holiday’ or acting as a bridge in patients between different lines of systemic treatment. This review aims to provide an update on the current evidence regarding liver-directed intra-arterial treatment strategies and to discuss potential trends for the future.

Combined Systemic and Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Chemo-Therapy as a Liver-Directed Therapy for Colorectal Liver Metastasis-Review of Literature and Case Discussion

Simple Summary

Liver metastasis is a major therapeutic challenge and common cause of death for patients with colorectal cancer. While systemic treatment especially chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment, selected patients with liver-only metastasis may further benefit from liver-directed therapies. Direct infusion of chemotherapy into the liver metastases via an implantable hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) is potentially an effective way to improve treatment response and survival in selected patients. Here, we reviewed the literature utilizing HAIP as a liver-directed modality alone and in combination with systemic chemotherapy. We discussed two cases who were successfully treated with this combinatorial approach and achieved remission or prolongation of disease control. We discussed the limitations, toxicities of combined systemic and HAIP modalities. Lastly, we provided insights on the use of HAIP in the modern era of systemic treatment for colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent malignancy and the second most common cause of death in the US. Liver is the most common site of colorectal metastases. About 13% of patients with colorectal cancer have liver metastasis on initial presentation and 50% develop them during the disease course. Although systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy are the mainstay treatment for patients with metastatic disease, for selected patients with predominant liver metastasis, liver-directed approaches may provide prolonged disease control when combined with systemic treatments. Hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy is an approach which allows direct infusion of chemotherapeutic into the liver and is especially useful in the setting of multifocal liver metastases. When combined with systemic chemotherapy, HAIP improves the response rate, provides more durable disease control, and in some patients leads to successful resection. To ensure safety, use of HAIP requires multidisciplinary collaboration between interventional radiologists, medical oncologists, hepatobiliary surgeons and treatment nurses. Here, we review the benefits and potential risks with this approach and provide our single institution experience on two CRC patients successfully treated with HAIP in combination with systemic chemotherapy. We provide our recommendations in adopting this technique in the current era for patient with colorectal liver metastases.

Intraarterial Chemotherapy for Liver Metastases

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancers globally in terms of both incidence and cancer-related mortality. Liver metastatic disease is the main prognostic driver for patients with CRC. The management options for liver metastatic CRC continue to evolve, particularly with the incorporation of locoregional therapies into the treatment paradigm. Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy is one such liver directed approach used with the goal of converting patients to liver resection, reducing the risk of recurrence, treating recurrent disease, and most importantly improving overall survival. This article summarizes the role of HAI chemotherapy in the treatment of liver metastatic CRC.

Safety and feasibility of initiating a hepatic artery infusion pump chemotherapy program for unresectable colorectal liver metastases: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy is a specialized therapy for patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (uCRLM). Its effectiveness was demonstrated from a high volume center, with uncertainty regarding the feasibility and safety at other centers. Therefore, we sought to assess the safety and feasibility of HAIP for the management of uCRLM at other centers.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients with uCRLM treated with HAIP from January 2003 to December 2017 at six North American centers initiating the HAIP program. Outcomes included the safety and feasibility of HAIP chemotherapy.

RESULTS

We identified 154 patients with HAIP insertion and the median age of 54 (48-61) years. The burden of disease was >10 intra-hepatic metastatic foci in 59 (38.3%) patients. Patients received at least one cycle of systemic chemotherapy before HAIP insertion. Major complications occurred in 7 (4.6%) patients during their hospitalization and 13 (8.4%) patients developed biliary sclerosis during follow-up. A total of 148 patients (96.1%) received at least one-dose of HAIP chemotherapy with a median of 5 (4-7) cycles. 78 patients (56.5%) had a complete or partial response and 12 (7.8%) received a curative liver resection.

CONCLUSION

HAIP programs can be safely and effectively initiated in previously inexperienced centers with good response.

Role of Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy in Treatment of Initially Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Review

Importance

Although liver metastasis develops in more than half of patients with colorectal cancer, only 15% to 20% of these patients have resectable liver metastasis at presentation. Moreover, patients with initially unresectable colorectal liver metastasis (IU-CRLM) who progress on first-line systemic chemotherapy have limited treatment options. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), in combination with systemic chemotherapy, leverages a multimodality approach to achieving control of hepatic disease and/or expanding resectability in patients with liver-only disease or liver-dominant disease.

Observations

Intra-arterial delivery of agents with high first-pass hepatic extraction (eg, floxuridine) limits systemic toxic effects and allows for administration of systemic chemotherapy at near-full doses. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy augments response rates up to 92% in patients who are chemotherapy naive, and up to 85% in pretreated patients with IU-CRLM. In turn, these responses translate into encouraging rates of conversion to resectability (CTR). Prospective trials have reported CTR rates as high as 52% in heavily pretreated patients with IU-CRLM who have an extensive hepatic disease burden. As such, CTR remains a compelling indication for liver-directed chemotherapy in this subset of patients. This review discusses the biological rationale for HAIC, evolution of rational combinations with systemic chemotherapy, contemporary evidence for CTR using HAIC and systemic chemotherapy, juxtaposition with rates of CTR using systemic chemotherapy alone, and morbidity and toxic effect profiles of HAIC.

Conclusions and Relevance

The argument is made for consideration of earlier initiation of HAIC in patients with IU-CRLM who are chemotherapy naive and for adoption of HAIC strategies to augment rates of resectability in patients who have failed first-line systemic chemotherapy before proceeding to second-line or third-line regimens.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Oxaliplatin Plus Oral S-1 Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer with Unresectable Liver Metastases: A Case Series and Literature Review

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.

The Role of Liver-Directed Therapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Purpose of Review

Colorectal cancer liver metastasis is a major clinical problem, and surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment. We seek to discuss various liver-directed therapy modalities and explore their roles in the evolving realm of treatment strategies for metastatic colorectal cancer.

Recent Findings

Clinical outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases have improved as more patients undergo potentially curative resection and as the armamentarium of systemic treatment and liver-directed therapies continues to expand. Liver-directed therapies have been developed as adjuncts to improve resectability, employed in the adjuvant setting to potentially reduce local recurrence rates, and utilized in the palliative setting with the aim to improve overall survival.

Summary

Ongoing research is expected to validate the role of these evolving therapeutic options, and determine how best to sequence and when to apply these therapies.

A Comparison of Yttrium-90 Microsphere Radioembolization to Hepatic Arterial Infusional Chemotherapy for Patients with Chemo-refractory Hepatic Colorectal Metastases

OPINION STATEMENT

Patients with unresectable hepatic colorectal metastases who become chemo-refractory have limited treatment options. Systemic chemotherapies such as TAS102 and regorafenib have been used in the refractory setting, but with only modest improvement in overall survival compared to best supportive care. In patients with liver-only or liver-dominant disease, direct chemotherapy to the liver such as hepatic artery infusional (HAI) chemotherapy and radioembolization (yttrium-90 (Y90)) should be considered. Due to the difficulty of HAI therapy post Y90 for technical reasons, we recommend HAI therapy prior to Y90.

Treatment Options in Colorectal Liver Metastases: Hepatic Arterial Infusion

BACKGROUND

The liver is the most common site for metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC) with the majority of these patients having unresectable disease.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of studies using hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy to treat liver metastasis from CRC. A PubMed search of randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies from 2006 to present was conducted using the search terms 'hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy', 'colorectal cancer', and 'treatment of liver metastases'.

RESULTS

The first randomized studies comparing HAI to systemic therapy with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin produced significantly higher response rates of 41 versus 14%. Systemic therapy has improved with the addition of irinotecan and oxaliplatin; however, the responses with HAI and these modern agents have also increased, with responses as high as 80%. For patients with wild-type KRAS, HAI and systemic therapy produced a median survival of 68 months. In patients with refractory disease, response rates are in the 30% range with a median survival of 20 months. Adjuvant HAI after liver resection has shown an increase of hepatic disease-free survival and overall disease-free survival when compared to systemic therapy alone in three of four randomized trials. A recent update of the adjuvant trials after liver resection at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has shown a 5-year survival of 78%.

CONCLUSION

HAI therapy has a role in treating hepatic metastases from CRC in both the resectable and unresectable setting.

Hammer versus Swiss Army knife: Developing a strategy for the management of bilobar colorectal liver metastases

For patients with bilobar colorectal liver metastases, the recent increase in surgical approaches has resulted in more opportunities to extend the benefits of surgery to patients who were previously deemed unresectable. Surgical options now include anatomic hepatectomy, 1-stage parenchymal sparing hepatectomy, traditional 2-stage hepatectomy with or without portal vein embolization, associated liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, local ablative techniques, and hepatic arterial infusion therapy. As the diversity of options has increased, controversy has arisen as to the optimal operative management of patients with complex bilateral disease. Moreover, there has been a tendency for various surgeons and groups to champion a single strategy. In contrast to this trend, this article introduces a novel "tailored approach" that takes advantage of all available tools and individually applies them based on an algorithmic assessment of the extent and distribution of metastatic disease.

Response rates of hepatic arterial infusion pump therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer liver metastases refractory to all standard chemotherapies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the role of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) liver metastases (LM) refractory to oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and fluorouracil-based treatments.

METHODS

A search identified patients with mCRC treated after tumor progression on at least three standard systemic therapies.

RESULTS

One hundred and ten patients met criteria for inclusion (i.e., progression on at least three standard agents). Fifty seven patients had LM-only and 53 patients had LM and low volume extrahepatic metastases (LME). Patients with LM-only and LME had a response rate (RR) of 33% and 36%, median survival of 20 months and 11.4 months, respectively. Patients with LM-only had progression free survival of 6 months and hepatic progression free survival of 7.56 months. In a secondary analysis, 46 patients were RECIST-refractory to all standard therapies: LM-only (n = 24) and LME (n = 22). LM-only and LME had a RR of 29% and 36%, and median survival 17.2 months and 9.1 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with refractory mCRC LM can achieve a response to HAI resulting in antitumor activity and improvement in survival. Responses are rarely seen in such heavily treated patients with systemic therapy alone, suggesting a regional directed approach is useful. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:655-663. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hepatic Artery Infusional Chemotherapy

Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) therapy is a well-studied and viable regional therapy for patients with hepatic metastases. Implantable pump devices may be safely placed intraarterially with minimal morbidity and HAI treatments can be used as an adjunct to systemic therapy. Future trials may address sequencing of regional and systemic therapies. However, HAI is not without complications and requires close monitoring and attention to detail but can offer reasonable control of liver tumor burden when managed jointly between medical and surgical oncologists. Herein we describe the technical aspects of HAI pump placement and review pertinent studies in primary and secondary liver tumors.

The state of regional therapy in the management of metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Most colorectal cancer patients die from advanced disease, and two-thirds of CRC deaths are due to liver metastases. Liver resection provides the best curative option for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), yet only 20% of those patients are eligible for liver metastases resection for curative intent. Loco-regional treatment of CRLM may provide additional benefits in terms of down-staging for resection and prolonged hepatic disease control. This review focusses on hepatic arterial infusion, radioembolization and chemoembolization.

Dose-finding study of hepatic arterial infusion of irinotecan-based treatment in patients with advanced cancers metastatic to the liver

BACKGROUND

Liver metastases are associated with a poor prognosis. We investigated the use of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of irinotecan combination therapy in patients with liver metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed advanced cancer with liver metastases that was refractory to standard therapy were eligible. A standard "3 + 3" phase I study design was used to determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Three cohorts were evaluated: HAI of irinotecan with systemic intravenous (IV) (a) bevacizumab, (b) oxaliplatin and bevacizumab, or (c) bevacizumab and cetuximab.

RESULTS

From October 2009 through December 2013, 98 patients with various tumor types were enrolled (median age, 62 years, range, 34-85; and median number of prior therapies, 4, range, 1-11). In cohorts A and C, dose escalation continued until the highest dose level-considered the MTD-was reached. In cohort B, dose escalation continued until dose level 3, and dose level 2 was considered the MTD. Rates of grade 3/4 adverse events were as follows: diarrhea, 8 %; fatigue, 4 %; neutropenia, 4 %; thrombocytopenia, 2 %; and skin rash, 2 %. Seventy-seven patients were evaluable for response. Partial response was noted in 5 (6.5 %) patients (neuroendocrine cancer, n = 2; CRC, n = 2; NSCLC, n = 1); and stable disease ≥ 6 months in 17 (22.1 %) patients (CRC, n = 13; breast, n = 1; neuroendocrine, n = 1; NSCLC, n = 1; pancreatic, n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

HAI irinotecan in combination with bevacizumab; oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab; or cetuximab plus bevacizumab was safe and may be a treatment option for selected patients with advanced cancer and liver involvement.

Synthesis and antiprotozoal activity of mono- and bis-uracil isatin conjugates against the human pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis

A library of mono- and bis-uracil isatin conjugates were synthesized and subjected for the assessment of their in vitro activity against the protozoal pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis. The structure activity studies (SAR) revealed that the bis-uracil-isatin based conjugates were more effective than their corresponding mono conjugates in inhibiting the growth of T. vaginalis at approximately 10 μM with no visual effect on mammalian cells at the same concentration.

Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy for liver malignancy

To date, hepatic artery infusion (HAI) chemotherapy has primarily been investigated in the setting of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM). Few studies have been conducted in North America regarding HAI chemotherapy for primary liver cancers (PLC) or noncolorectal liver metastases (non-CRLM). Despite decades of evaluation, controversy surrounding the use of HAI chemotherapy still exists. In this article the methods of HAI chemotherapy delivery, technical aspects of catheter and pump insertion, and specific complications of HAI chemotherapy are discussed. Outcomes of clinical trials and reviews of HAI chemotherapy in the setting of CRLM, PLC, and non-CRLM are evaluated.

Phase I trial of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of floxuridine with modified oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (m-FOLFOX6) in Chinese patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and preliminary efficacy of concurrent hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of floxuridine (FUDR) and systemic modified oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (m-FOLFOX6) in Chinese patients with unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-five patients with unresectable liver metastases with or without extrahepatic disease were treated with concurrent HAI and systemic m-FOLFOX6. HAI FUDR was delivered in a 14-day infusion with escalating dose levels, and each cycle was repeated every 4 weeks.

RESULTS

The MTD for FUDR was 0.12 mg/kg/day when combined with systemic m-FOLFOX6. The dose-limited toxicities were neutropenia (8.6 %), alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase elevation (5.7 %) and diarrhea (11.4 %). The overall response rate was 68.6 % for hepatic metastases and 14.3 % for extrahepatic metastases. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 8.23 and 25 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The recommended dose of FUDR was 0.12 mg/kg/day when combined with systemic m-FOLFOX6. This combination achieved a high response rate in hepatic disease and a high control rate in extrahepatic disease. Further study is needed to assess the potential additional value of HAI therapy in converting patients with hepatic metastases to candidates for resection.

Hepatic arterial infusion pump chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases: an old technology in a new era

Aggressive treatment of colorectal cancer (crc) liver metastases can yield long-term survival and cure. Unfortunately, most patients present with technically unresectable metastases; conventional therapy in such patients consists of systemic therapy. Despite advances in the effectiveness of systemic therapy in the first-line setting, the tumour response rate and median survival remain low in the second-line setting. The preferential blood supply from the hepatic artery to crc liver metastases allows for excellent regional delivery of chemotherapy. Here, we review efficacy and safety data for hepatic artery infusion (hai) pump chemotherapy in patients with metastatic crc from the 5-fluorouracil era and from the era of modern chemotherapy. In selected patients with liver-only or liver-dominant disease who have progressed on first-line chemotherapy, hai combined with systemic agents is a viable therapeutic option when performed at experienced centres. Furthermore, significantly improved survival has been demonstrated with adjuvant hai therapy after liver resection in the phase iii setting. The complication rates and local toxicities associated with hai pump therapy are infrequent at experienced centres and can be managed with careful follow-up and early intervention. The major obstacles to the wide adoption of hai therapy include technical expertise for pump insertion and maintenance, and for floxuridine dose modification. The creation of formal preceptor-focused education and training in hai therapy for interdisciplinary medical professionals might encourage the creation and expansion of this liver-directed approach.

Regional chemotherapy for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a potential role for dynamic magnetic resonance imaging as an imaging biomarker and a survival update from two prospective clinical trials

BACKGROUND

For patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), treatment options are limited and survival is poor. This study summarizes the long-term outcome of two previously reported clinical trials using hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) with floxuridine and dexamethasone (with or without bevacizumab) in advanced ICC.

METHODS

Prospectively collected clinicopathologic and survival data were retrospectively reviewed. Response was based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Pre-HAI dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) images were reviewed, and tumor perfusion data correlated with outcome.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients were analyzed (floxuridine, 26; floxuridine/bevacizumab, 18). At a median follow-up of 29.3 months, 41 patients had died of disease. Partial response by RECIST was observed in 48 %, and 50 % had stable disease. Three patients underwent resection after response, and 82 % received additional HAI after removal from the trials. Median survival was similar in both trials (floxuridine 29.3 months vs. floxuridine/bevacizumab 28.5 months; p = 0.96). Ten (23 %) patients survived ≥3 years, including 5 (11 %) who survived ≥5 years. Tumor perfusion measured on pre-treatment DCE-MRI [area under the gadolinium concentration curve at 90 and 180 s (AUC90 and AUC180, respectively)] was significantly higher in ≥3-year survivors and was the only factor that distinguished this group from <3-year survivors (mean AUC90 22.6 vs. 15.9 mM s, p = 0.025, and mean AUC180 48.9 vs. 32.3 mM s, p = 0.003, respectively). Median hepatic progression-free survival was longer in ≥3-year survivors (12.9 vs. 9.3 months, respectively; p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

HAI chemotherapy can result in prolonged survival in unresectable ICC. Pre-HAI DCE-MRI may predict treatment outcome.

Hepatic arterial infusion pump chemotherapy in the management of colorectal liver metastases: expert consensus statement

Despite significant improvements in systemic therapy for patients with colorectal liver metastases (crlms), response rates in the first-line setting are not optimal, and response rates in the second-line setting remain disappointing. Hepatic arterial infusion pump (haip) chemotherapy has been extensively studied in patients with crlms, but it remains infrequently used. We convened an expert panel to discuss the role of haip in the contemporary management of patients with crlm. Using a consensus process, we developed these statements: haip chemotherapy should be given in combination with systemic chemotherapy.haip chemotherapy should be offered in the context of a multidisciplinary program that includes expertise in hepatobiliary surgery, medical oncology, interventional radiology, nursing, and nuclear medicine.haip chemotherapy in combination with systemic therapy should be considered in patients with unresectable crlms who have progressed on first-line systemic treatment. In addition, haip chemotherapy is acceptable as first-line treatment in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases.haip chemotherapy is not recommended in the setting of extrahepatic disease outside the context of a clinical trial.haip chemotherapy in combination with systemic therapy is an option for select patients with resected colorectal liver metastases. These consensus statements provide a framework that clinicians who treat patients with crlm can use when considering treatment with haip.

Conversion to complete resection and/or ablation using hepatic artery infusional chemotherapy in patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer: a decade of experience at a single institution

BACKGROUND

When feasible, surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is the treatment of choice. Regional hepatic artery infusional (HAI) chemotherapy effectively treats CRLM. The combination of HAI and systemic chemotherapy may downsize tumors and allow for complete resection and/or ablation (R/A). This study analyzes the combination of HAI and systemic chemotherapy for treating unresectable CRLM, focusing on conversion to complete R/A.

METHODS

All patients with unresectable CRLM treated with HAI and systemic chemotherapy from 2000 to 2009 were included. Patients who responded sufficiently to undergo complete R/A were compared to those who did not convert. Survival was compared using a landmark analysis to account for bias.

RESULTS

A total of 373 patients were included; 93 patients (25%) subsequently underwent complete R/A. The percentage of patients submitted to complete R/A increased from 16% during 2000-2003 to 30% during 2004-2009. Factors associated with conversion on multivariate analysis were more recent treatment (2004-2009), no prior chemotherapy, clinical risk score<3, treatment on clinical protocol, and younger age. Median and predicted 5-year survival from the time of HAI pump placement was 59 months and 47%, respectively, in the patients who converted to complete R/A, compared with 16 months and 6%, respectively in those who did not (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite extensive disease, 25% of patients with unresectable CRLM responded sufficiently to undergo complete R/A following HAI plus systemic chemotherapy. Combination HAI and systemic chemotherapy is an effective strategy to convert patients to complete resection with an associated excellent long-term survival.

A phase I trial of isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) using 5-FU and oxaliplatin in patients with unresectable isolated liver metastases from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) with melphalan is an established approach for patients with unresectable metastatic liver lesions. This study determined the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 5-FU with oxaliplatin via IHP.

METHODS

Standard 3 × 3 Phase I design. Subjects with unresectable isolated CRC liver metastases scheduled for HAI pump were eligible. IHP used fixed-dose oxaliplatin with escalating 5-FU doses. Toxicity (CTCAE v 4.0) and response (RECIST), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Systemic and IHP plasma PK of 5-FU, anabolites, and platinum were determined.

RESULTS

All 12 patients had received ≥ 1 line of pre-IHP chemotherapy. There were 4 grade 3 serious adverse events (33.3 %) and 1 grade 4 event (8.3 %). Also, 2 dose-limiting toxicities occurred at DL2 at 300 mg/m(2), resulting in expansion of DL1 at 200 mg/m(2) 5-FU, the eventual MTD. At 6-month follow-up, 9 patients (82 %) demonstrated partial response, while 2 (18 %) exhibited stable disease. Also, 64 % of patients demonstrated a >50 % decrease in CEA. The 1- and 2-year OS probabilities were 90.9 and 71.6 %, respectively, with median follow-up of 24 months. IHP exposures (AUC0-60 min) were 10.9 ± 4.5 μgPt h/mL, 49.3 ± 30.7 μg h/mL 5-FU (DL1), and 70.5 ± 35.5 μg h/mL 5-FU (DL2). Systemic exposure (AUC0-inf) relative to IHP exposure was negligible for both platinum (1.1 ± 1.5 %) and 5-FU (0.09 ± 0.10 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The MTD for IHP was 200 mg/m(2) 5-FU with 40 mg/m(2) oxaliplatin. Systemic exposure to the agents was minimal during IHP. The response and survival observed warrants assessment in a larger phase II trial.

Locoregional surgical and interventional therapies for advanced colorectal cancer liver metastases: expert consensus statements

Selection of the optimal surgical and interventional therapies for advanced colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) requires multidisciplinary discussion of treatment strategies early in the trajectory of the individual patient's care. This paper reports on expert consensus on locoregional and interventional therapies for the treatment of advanced CRLM. Resection remains the reference treatment for patients with bilateral CRLM and synchronous presentation of primary and metastatic cancer. Patients with oligonodular bilateral CRLM may be candidates for one-stage multiple segmentectomies; two-stage resection with or without portal vein embolization may allow complete resection in patients with more advanced disease. After downsizing with preoperative systemic and/or regional therapy, curative-intent hepatectomy requires resection of all initial and currently known sites of disease; debulking procedures are not recommended. Many patients with synchronous primary disease and CRLM can safely undergo simultaneous resection of all disease. Staged resections should be considered for patients in whom the volume of the future liver remnant is anticipated to be marginal or inadequate, who have significant medical comorbid condition(s), or in whom extensive resections are required for the primary cancer and/or CRLM. Priority for liver-first or primary-first resection should depend on primary tumour-related symptoms or concern for the progression of marginally resectable CRLM during treatment of the primary disease. Chemotherapy delivered by hepatic arterial infusion represents a valid option in patients with liver-only disease, although it is best delivered in experienced centres. Ablation strategies are not recommended as first-line treatments for resectable CRLM alone or in combination with resection because of high local failure rates and limitations related to tumour size, multiplicity and intrahepatic location.

Modern prospection for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in malignancies with liver metastases

Malignancy with liver metastasis plays an important role in daily oncology practice, especially for primary cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatopancreatobiliary system. On account of the dual vascular supply system and the fact that most metastatic liver tumors are supplied by the hepatic artery, hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is an appealing method for the treatment of liver metastases. Herein, we summarize recent study results reported in the literature regarding the use of HAIC for metastatic liver tumors, with special focus on colorectal cancer.

Hepatic arterial infusion and systemic chemotherapy for breast cancer liver metastases

Hepatic failure from breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We reviewed the treatment histories and outcomes of nine patients with heavily treated BCLM, who received hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of floxuridine (FUDR)/dexamethasone (Dex) and systemic chemotherapy at our institution. Patients received a median of five (range 1-15) HAI treatments. There were seven (78%) objective responses. Four patients had grade 3 elevations in liver enzymes attributable to HAI. There were no treatment-related deaths. Median hepatic and extrahepatic time to progression on HAI were both 6 months. Median survival after starting HAI was 17 months (range 1-115). Median overall survival from the original breast cancer diagnosis was 110 months (range 52-248). One patient is alive with stable disease on systemic therapy alone. HAI and systemic chemotherapy is feasible and can benefit selected patients with BCLM, who have progressed on prior therapies. Patients require close monitoring for treatment-limiting toxicities.

What is the potential role of hepatic arterial infusion chemo-therapy in the current armamentorium against colorectal cancer

The management of colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases is a common clinical problem. If patients can undergo resection of liver metastases, long-term survival can be achieved. Converting a patient from unresectable to resectable, however, remains a major challenge. The majority of patients who undergo liver resection for colorectal metastases recur; therefore, adjuvant treatment following resection should be considered. Emerging literature suggests that hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) can be combined with systemic chemotherapy. Both therapies can be given at nearly full doses, thus improving resectability and outcomes for patients with colorectal liver metastases. HAI plus systemic can also be a useful option for adjuvant treatment after hepatic resection.

Biliary sclerosis after hepatic arterial infusion pump chemotherapy for patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis: incidence, clinical features, and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Hepatic arterial infusion pump chemotherapy (HAIPC) contributes to the prolonged survival of selected patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM). The most clinically important adverse event after HAIPC with floxuridine (FUDR) is biliary sclerosis (BS). Little is known about the etiology of BS.

METHODS

HAIPC was administered to 475 consecutive patients who received HAIPC on prospective protocols from 1991 to 2008. The incidence, clinical features, variables related to demographics, comorbidity, medical history, CRCLM, surgery, chemotherapy, and laboratory data were reviewed. An analysis of factors potentially associated with BS, defined as a biliary stricture related to HAIPC requiring stent placement, was performed.

RESULTS

The incidence of BS was 5.5% (16 of 293) in patients receiving HAIPC as an adjuvant therapy after hepatectomy, and 2% (2 of 100) in patients receiving HAIPC with FUDR for unresectable disease. The common hepatic duct was the site most frequently affected (87.5%). In patients receiving adjuvant HAIPC, BS was associated with abnormal postoperative flow scans (18.8% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.006), postoperative infectious complications (50.0% vs. 14.8%, P = 0.002), and larger dose/cycle/weight of FUDR (2.6 vs. 2.0 mg/cycle/kg, P = 0.025) than patients without BS. No patient died directly of BS. Median survival was not compromised by the development of BS (BS vs. non-BS: 61.0 months [range 6.2-171.6 months] vs. 47.2 months [range 2.4-200.8 months], P = 0.316, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

BS is an uncommon complication after HAIPC and does not compromise survival if adequately salvaged by stenting or dilatation. Surgical complications as well as type and dose of intra-arterial chemotherapy may contribute to the development of BS.

Modern insights into hepatic arterial infusion for liver metastases from colorectal cancer

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) selectively achieves high drug exposure of liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Such pharmacologic advantage has doubled the response rate of liver metastases on fluoropyrimidines (FP) delivered as HAI rather than intravenously, in a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials (RCT). However, the improvement in antitumour efficacy did not consistently translate into any significant survival advantage across all randomised studies. However, the results of this meta-analysis should be cautiously interpreted due to the heterogeneity of the studies, inadequate study designs, obsolete therapy and high rate of early treatment discontinuation due to HAI technical failures or hepato-biliary toxicity. Most studies actually were performed before year 2000 and did not integrate the considerable progresses accomplished in the management of CRC, such as multidrug regimens instead of single agent FP and secondary resection of metastases, a major contributing factor for prolonged survival. Furthermore, the systemic exposure of patients given HAI was low without concomitant IV therapy, facilitating extra-hepatic relapses. The role of HAI in liver metastases from CRC should, therefore, be revisited, using modern multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches and appropriate study designs. Recommendations for the design of future RCTs exploring HAI are provided.

Patient selection for surgical management of primary and metastatic liver cancers: current perspectives

The surgical management of liver malignancies remains a mainstay in the treatment of such patients, and has benefited from dramatic advancements over the last two decades. Improvements in surgical technique, better understanding of hepatic anatomy, and improvement in anesthesiological supportive care has resulted in a decline in perioperative morbidity and operative mortality. Proper patient selection for surgical and nonsurgical treatment currently employs a multidisciplinary approach in our institution. This review will focus on the surgical treatment options for both primary and secondary liver cancers.

Phase I trial of hepatic arterial infusion of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel: toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and activity

Because liver involvement in patients with metastatic cancer has limited options and poor outcomes, we conducted a phase I study to determine the safety, activity, and pharmacokinetic characteristics of hepatic arterial infusion of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (HAI nab-paclitaxel). Cohorts of three patients having predominant hepatic metastases received HAI nab-paclitaxel at three dose levels (180, 220, and 260 mg/m(2), respectively) infused for more than 1 hour every 3 weeks (3 + 3 design). Some patients participated in comparative pharmacokinetic studies (i.v. vs. HAI), receiving their first course i.v., to determine peak concentrations and effect of first-pass hepatic extraction compared with subsequent courses administered by HAI. The highest dose level was expanded to determine the safety and activity of HAI nab-paclitaxel. Thirty-eight patients were treated. There were no dose-limiting toxicities at doses up to 260 mg/m(2). Common adverse events included alopecia, fatigue, myelosuppresion, nausea, and vomiting. Three patients had stable disease for 4 or more months and 2 patients (1 of 12 with breast cancer and 1 of 1 with cervical cancer) achieved a partial response lasting for 5 and 15 months, respectively. Peak concentrations were lower (∼50%) with greater hepatic extraction of drug (∼42%) following HAI than i.v. infusion based on area under the curve comparison of drug exposure. HAI nab-paclitaxel showed partial hepatic extraction. At doses 260 mg/m(2) or less given for 1 hour every 3 weeks, the treatment was well-tolerated and showed activity in advanced cancer patients with predominant liver metastases.

Hepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil for patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer refractory to standard systemic chemotherapy: a multicenter, retrospective analysis

INTRODUCTION

This retrospective study evaluated the safety and efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer refractory to standard systemic chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-five patients who had shown disease progression during the prior standard systemic chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and 5-FU were enrolled. The treatment was weekly HAIC with 5-FU 1000 mg/m2/5 hours through an indwelling catheter-port system.

RESULTS

No major adverse reaction was observed other than grade 3 leukocytopenia (3.6%) and hyperbilirubinemia (1.8%). The overall response rate and disease control rate were 18.2% and 70.9%, respectively. The median progression-free survival and median overall survival (OS) were 2.8 months, and 6.7 months, respectively. The initial sites of disease progression were liver in 14, other than liver in 27, and both in 6. Multivariate analysis identified Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) ≤ 1 and number of extrahepatic metastatic sites (NMS) ≤ 1 as favorable prognostic factors for OS (hazard ratio [HR], 8.277; 95% CI, 3.60-19.0; P = .000 for ECOG PS; and HR, 2.456; 95% CI, 1.30-4.61; P = .005 for NMS).

CONCLUSION

HAIC with 5-FU may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with colorectal liver metastases refractory to standard systemic chemotherapy.

Role of intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer metastases

Hepatic metastases are common with colorectal cancer. The primary blood supply to hepatic metastases is the hepatic artery. Regional chemotherapy utilizing the hepatic artery is one treatment option for liver metastases. The advantage of hepatic arterial chemotherapy is that high concentrations of the therapeutic drug are obtained in the liver with minimal systemic toxicity. Recently, systemic chemotherapy regimens have been added to hepatic arterial infusional chemotherapy to treat hepatic metastases. Due to the high response rates in the liver, resection rates are increasing in patients originally thought to have unresectable liver disease. Hepatic arterial chemotherapy has also been used in the adjuvant setting after resection of all liver metastases in order to minimize hepatic recurrences. The role of hepatic arterial infusional therapy in treating hepatic colorectal metastases includes treating patients with both resectable and unresectable metastases in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative settings.

Selective intra-arterial chemotherapy with floxuridine as second- or third-line approach in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

An outcome assessment was performed of patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) treated in second or third line with floxuridine (FUDR)-based hepatic artery infusion (HAI).

METHODS

Twenty-three patients who were pretreated with systemic (immuno)chemotherapy received FUDR-HAI alone or combined with systemic chemotherapy. We reviewed patient charts and our prospective patient database for survival and associated risk factors.

RESULTS

Patients received FUDR-HAI for unresectable CRLM from January 2000 to September 2010. Twelve patients (52%) received concurrent systemic chemotherapy. Median overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and hepatic PFS were 15.6 months (range, 2.5-55.7 months), 3.9 months (range, 0.7-55.7 months), and 5.5 months (range, 1.6-55.7 months), respectively. The liver resection rate after HAI was 35%. PFS was better in patients undergoing secondary resection than in patients without resection (hazard ratio [HR] 0.21; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.07-0.66; P = 0.0034), while OS showed a trend toward improvement (HR 0.4; 95% CI 0.13-1.2; P = 0.09). No differences were observed in OS (P = 0.69) or PFS (P = 0.086) in patients who received FUDR-HAI alone compared with patients treated with combined regional and systemic chemotherapy. No statistically significant differences were seen in patients previously treated with one chemotherapy line compared with patients treated with two lines. Presence of extrahepatic disease was a negative risk factor for PFS (liver-only disease: HR 0.03; 95% CI 0.0032-0.28; P < 0.0001). Toxicities were manageable with dose modifications and supportive measures.

CONCLUSIONS

FUDR-HAI improves PFS and results in a trend toward improved OS in selected patients able to undergo liver resection after tumor is downsized.

Chemotherapy for the conversion of unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases to resection

Resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is the ultimate aim of treatment strategies in most patients with liver-confined metastatic colorectal cancer. Long-term survival is possible in selected patients with initially resectable or unresectable CLM. As a majority of patients have unresectable liver disease at the outset, there is a clear role for chemotherapy to downstage liver disease making resection possible. Studies of systemic chemotherapy with or without biologic therapy in patients with unresectable CLM have resulted in increased response rates, liver resection rates and survival. A sound physiologic rationale exists for the use of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy. Studies have shown that HAI with floxuridine combined with systemic chemotherapy increases response rates and liver resection rates in those patients with initially unresectable CLM. Toxicity from preoperative chemotherapy, biologic therapy and HAI therapy may adversely affect hepatic resection but can be kept minimal with appropriate monitoring. All conversion strategies should be decided by a multidisciplinary team.