[A study of low-dose intermittent intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastasis in colorectal cancer].

Since 1985 we have performed low-dose intermittent intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy using an implantable device for inoperable liver metastasis derived from colorectal cancer. We estimated the efficiency of this treatment in terms of effective rates and survival period. We classified subjects into intra-arterial infusion group and general administration group for comparison. The former group was comprised of 54 cases (37 synchronia, 17 heterochronia) treated with low-dose intermittent intra-arterial infusion (FAM ia) from July 1985 to June 1989. The latter comprised 32 cases (17 synchronia, 15 heterochronia) treated with general chemotherapy (general administration of 5-FU and MMC) for three years before December 1986. Of the 37 cases (23 synchronia, 14 heterochronia) evaluated in the intra-arterial infusion group, we recognized 9 PR cases (24.3%; including 5 synchronia, 4 heterochronia). On the other hand, we found only 1 PR case in the general administration group. The 50% survival period in the intra-arterial infusion group was 370 days (380 days synchronia, 340 days heterochronia), against 260 days (270 days synchronia, 250 days heterochronia) in the general administration group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Although it was not possible for us to obtain satisfactory results in terms of the efficiency of intermittent low-dose intra-arterial infusion treatment, we have been conducting a randomized study considering drug types, drug administration methods, and background of patients to further investigate the efficiency of arterial infusion treatment.