Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Liver Metastases Following Standard Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer

Intern Med. 2021 Jan 15;60(2):223-229. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.5449-20. Epub 2020 Sep 19.

Abstract

A 65-year-old man diagnosed with locally advanced pancreatic cancer underwent distal pancreatectomy and combined portal vein resection. One month after surgery, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple liver metastases. We administered two courses of gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel combination therapy followed by 17 modified FOLFIRINOX courses. However, the response was insufficient, and the patient thereafter developed grade 3 neutropenia, which made it difficult to continue the treatment regimen. As a result, we administered hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy comprising gemcitabine plus 5-fluorouracil because the residual tumor was limited to liver metastases. The progression-free survival period was 7 months, and no drug-related adverse effects were noted during the treatment.

Keywords: hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy; liver metastases; recurrent pancreatic cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Albumins / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Paclitaxel / therapeutic use
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Reference Standards

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Paclitaxel
  • Fluorouracil