Abstract
BACKGROUND.
To the authors' knowledge, there is no effective therapy for extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In a pilot study, the results of combination therapy of S‐1, a novel oral dehydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) inhibitor, and interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α) are reported for HCC patients with extrahepatic metastasis.
METHODS.
Twelve patients with extrahepatic metastasis of HCC were enrolled in the pilot study. S‐1 was administered orally at a dose based on body surface area, twice daily after a meal, for 4 weeks. IFN‐α was injected subcutaneously on Days 1, 3, and 5 of each week. One course consisted of consecutive administration for 28 days followed by 14 days rest.
RESULTS.
An objective response was observed in 3 (25%) of 12 patients. The overall 1‐year survival rate was 61.7%. Grade 3 leukocytopenia was observed in 1 patient (8.3%). No severe toxicity or treatment‐related deaths were observed.
CONCLUSIONS.
The combination therapy of S‐1 and IFN‐α appears to be highly efficacious, with low toxicity in patients with extrahepatic metastases of HCC. The combination chemotherapy of oral S‐1 and subcutaneous IFN‐α is a potentially promising treatment strategy for advanced HCC with extrahepatic metastasis. Cancer 2008. ©2008 American Cancer Society.