Phase II evaluation of sequential hepatic artery infusion of 5-fluorouracil and hepatic irradiation in metastatic colorectal carcinoma

Abstract

Twenty-seven patients with measurable liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma were entered on a protocol of intermittent hepatic artery infusion (HAI) of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) followed by consolidation with hepatic irradiation. Five partial responses were observed in 23 evaluable patients. Median duration of response was 3.5 months. A response was evident after chemotherapy alone in four of five responders. Hepatic irradiation converted one patient with stable disease after chemotherapy to a partial responder. Median survival for all patients was 9.0 months (range 1.5-34.0). Combined modality treatment with HAI of 5-FU followed hepatic irradiation was well tolerated but did not appear to be synergistic.