BACKGROUND

Assessment of oxaliplatin-associated hepatotoxicity in patients receiving oxaliplatin, fluorouracil and leucovorin chemotherapy (FOLFOX) for colorectal cancer remains controversial. The aims of this study were to clarify which variables are indicators of such hepatotoxicity.

METHODOLOGY

Twenty-seven patients who were to receive FOLFOX for colorectal cancer were included in this study. A range of liver function tests, including serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and type IV collagen concentrations, indocyanine green (ICG) retention rate at 15 min (ICGR15) and splenic volume were assessed before commencement of chemotherapy and after four cycles of FOLFOX.

RESULTS

No significant changes were found in conventional liver function tests or splenic volume. Significant changes pre- and post-FOLFOX were found in type IV collagen concentrations and ICGR15. Correlation analyses showed that the following two factors were associated with significant changes in ICGR15 after four cycles of FOLFOX: platelet count (p = 0.028, correlation coefficient 0.423), and type IV collagen concentration (p < 0.001, correlation coefficient 0.830). The regression line between type IV collagen concentration and ICGR15 was Y = 2.70 + 0.84 x X.

CONCLUSION

Serum type IV collagen concentration is an indicator of oxaliplatin-associated hepatotoxicity and correlates with significant changes in ICGR15 in patients receiving FOLFOX.