Background: Irinotecan-based second-line chemotherapy of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) is effective, it might, however, be contraindicated in cases of severe liver dysfunction due to advanced liver metastases.
Case report: A 57-year-old woman with diffuse CRC liver metastases showed progressive disease on first-line treatment with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX). Chronic cholestasis and hyperbilirubinemia caused by advanced liver involvement prohibited second-line treatment with irinotecan-based chemotherapy. We initiated combined antibody treatment with cetuximab and bevacizumab.
Results: Clinical performance status as well as laboratory parameters improved rapidly. Staging investigations after 8 weeks revealed a partial remission. Since bilirubin levels had returned to the upper limit of normal, therapy could be changed to standard irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, and bevacizumab.
Conclusion: Combined treatment with cetuximab and bevacizumab may be considered as an effective treatment option in patients who cannot be treated with standard chemotherapy regimens due to impaired liver metabolism of cytotoxic substances.