A prospective study of isolated human hepatocyte function following liver resection for colorectal liver metastases: the effects of prior exposure to chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chemotherapy is increasingly used prior to resection of colorectal liver metastases, yet few studies have addressed its effect on the viability and function of hepatocytes. This study evaluated the effect of pre-operative chemotherapy on human hepatocytes.

METHODS

Studies were carried out on isolated hepatocytes from 47 patients undergoing hepatectomy for colorectal metastases. The function of drug metabolising enzymes in hepatocytes was assessed in vitro, as well as hepatocyte integrity and culture longevity. These results were compared between patients undergoing no pre-operative chemotherapy (N = 8), 5 fluorouracil (5FU) post-bowel resection (N = 20), and neo-adjuvant 5FU alone (N = 7) or in a combination with oxaliplatin (N = 12).

RESULTS

Average cell viability at isolation determined by trypan blue dye exclusion was 71% with no significant difference between the no chemotherapy or pre-resection chemotherapy groups. There was no significant difference in LDH leakage and cellular ATP content over a 96-h time course between the patient treatment groups. The function of cytochromes P450 (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4) and phase II enzymes (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and sulphotransferase) was not adversely affected by pre-operative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-resection chemotherapy does not impair the function or culture integrity of hepatocytes isolated at the time of liver resection.