[Suppression of postoperative liver metastases from colon cancer by continuous intraportal infusion of an angiogenesis inhibitor FR-118487].

A rabbit VX2 colon cancer model with spontaneous liver metastases was used to evaluate the antitumor effect of an angiogenesis inhibitor, FR-118487. FR-118487 (1 mg/kg/day) was infused continuously into the portal vein for a week after resection of primary colon cancer lesions (FR group). The incidence of liver metastases was 71.4% (5/7) in FR group, and 100% (7/7) in control group. The number and the weight of liver metastatic nodules were 31.0 +/0 36.0 and 1.4 +/- 1.8 g in FR group versus 83.7 +/- 73.9 and 6.5 +/- 4.9 g in control group, respectively. The metastases in FR group were significantly decreased in weight compared with those in control group (p < 0.05). No anastomotic leakage was recognized in either group. No side effects of FR-118487 such as body weight loss were found. Continuous intraportal infusion of FR-118487 in the early postoperative period may be effective to suppress liver metastases from colon cancer by inhibiting the angiogenesis concerning liver metastases.