Pirarubicin, UFT, Leucovorin Chemotherapy in Non-embolizable and Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization-Failed Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients; A Phase II Clinical Study.
- Author:
Kyong Hwa PARK
1
;
So Young YOON
;
Sang Cheul OH
;
Jae Hong SEO
;
Chul Won CHOI
;
Jong Eun YEON
;
Byung Soo KIM
;
Sang Won SHIN
;
Yeul Hong KIM
;
Kwan Soo BYUN
;
Jun Suk KIM
;
Chang Hong LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Hemato-oncology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hepatocellular neoplasm;
Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization;
Chemotherapy
- MeSH:
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*;
Drug Therapy*;
Humans;
Leucovorin*;
Thrombocytopenia
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment
2002;34(4):280-283
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Hepatocellular carcinomas are one of the most common malignancies in the world. However, no effective therapeutic modality has been proven to prolong the survival of patients in an inoperable stage. The purpose of this study was to determine the response rate and the toxicities of a combination of pirarubicin, UFT and leucovorin in patients with non-embolizable hepatocellular carcinomas, or who had progressed during their transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 23 patients with a hepatocellular carcinoma, 11 had progressed during a transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, with the other 12 being transcatheter arterial chemoembolization-naive. All the patients were treated with pirarubicin (70 mg/m2 i.v., day 1), UFT (350 mg/m2 P.O., day 1~21), and leucovorin (25 mg/m2 P.O., day 1~21). RESULTS: Twenty patients were able to be evaluated, with a partial response being achieved in four, giving an overall response rate of 20% (95% confidence interval, 7~44%). The median overall survival time was 6 months, and the median survival time of the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization-naive patients was significantly longer than that of those treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (p=0.012). The most significant dose-limiting toxicity was leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: The combination of pirarubicin, UFT and leucovorin therapies showed marginal antitumor activity and significant toxicity in patients with non-embolizable or failed transcatheter arterial chemoembolization hepatocellular carcinomas.
