Targeting the liver: Insights from a tertiary center on post-operative hepatic arterial oxaliplatin for metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: As the liver is the most common site of metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC), and metastatic recurrence frequently occurs after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has emerged as a promising treatment approach. This study investigates the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of postoperative HAIC with oxaliplatin following curative-intent resection of CRLM.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients with resected CRLM who received postoperative HAIC with oxaliplatin between 2008 and 2022 at a tertiary cancer center. The primary study endpoint were disease-free-survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS: Overall, 119 patients (median age, 56 years; synchronous metastatic disease, 82%) received postoperative HAIC with oxaliplatin after complete resection of their CRLM (median number of metastases resected, 7). They received a median number of 6 HAIC cycles (range, 1-12), mostly combined with intravenous chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (n = 118, 99%) and irinotecan (n = 41, 34%). The median DFS was 10.2 months (95% CI 9-12.4) and the median intrahepatic DFS was 18.4 months (95% CI 12.4-29.7,12 months DFS rate, 60%). The median OS reached 55.5 months (95% CI, 50.0-86.6; 5-year OS rate, 46%). Grade 3-4 toxicities occurred in 45% of patients (neutropenia, 38%; peripheral neuropathy, 9%); 54% of patients experienced pain (mostly mild to moderate) during oxaliplatin infusion. HAI catheter-related complications included extrahepatic perfusion (30%) and catheter occlusion (11%).

CONCLUSIONS: HAIC with oxaliplatin is an effective, safe and feasible treatment option after resection/ablation of CRLM. These findings support the therapeutic relevance of postoperative HAIC in liver-limited metastatic CRC.