Hepatic arterial infusion with oxaliplatin, folinic acid, and 5-fluorouracil in patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer: Role of carcino-embryonic antigen in assessment of response

Background: Therapy for patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial and may be improved by regional oxaliplatin which proved to be effective when administered systemically to patients with advanced CRC. Methods: During the current study, which aims to determine the maximum tolerated dose, the dose-limiting toxicity, and the pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin applied as hepatic intra-arterial infusion combined with folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil in patients with hepatic metastases from CRC, serial levels of carcino-embryonic antigen were determined and their relationship to response to therapy was assessed. Results: Toxicity mainly consisted of nausea, pain, mucositis, sensorial neuropathy, diarrhoea, and thrombocytopenia. The results of tumor marker analyses suggest that progressive disease may be detected early by increasing CEA levels and responsive disease may be characterized by low or decreasing values. Conclusions: Further analyses are warranted to determine the role of CEA in the assessment of response as compared to imaging techniques.