Chemoembolization Alone or Associated With Bevacizumab for Therapy of Colorectal Cancer Metastases: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Study

Abstract

Aim: to assess efficacy and safety of chemoembolization alone (TACE) and followed by bevacizumab (TACE-B) in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRC-LM) (NCT03732235).

Patients and methods: The study included 30 consecutive patients with CRC-LM. They were informed about the types of treatment available: TACE with irinotecan loaded into polythylene glycol embolics alone or followed by bevacizumab therapy. Each patient underwent self-randomization and 17 chose TACE, whereas 13 chose TACE-B.

Results: Tumor response at 3 months was complete response in one (6%) and four (31%) patients, and partial response in two (13%) and six (46%) patients, after TACE and TACE-B, respectively. No complications were observed during TACE. Most TACE-related adverse events were correlated with post-embolic syndrome.

Conclusion: The preliminary results of the study showed that the TACE-B is feasible and tolerable. This study will be continued in order accrue a larger number of patients and longer follow-up.

Keywords: Liver metastases; TACE; anti-angiogenesis; bevacizumab; chemoembolization; colorectal carcinoma; irinotecan; tumor response.