In:
Chemotherapy, S. Karger AG, Vol. 47, No. 5 ( 2001), p. 359-365
Abstract:
〈 i 〉 Background: 〈 /i 〉 The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the response rate and effect on survival of chemotherapy with epirubicin in non-resectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). 〈 i 〉 Methods: 〈 /i 〉 Fifty-two patients with non-resectable disease were treated with epirubicin. A treatment cycle consisted of 20 mg/m 〈 sup 〉 2 〈 /sup 〉 i.v. on days 1, 8 and 15 and was repeated every 4 weeks to a maximum dose of 1,000 mg/m 〈 sup 〉 2 〈 /sup 〉 . Forty-four patients were eligible for analysis. 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 Out of 44 patients, 1 (2.3%) achieved a complete response, 3 (6.8%) had partial responses and 16 (36%) had stable disease (SD). For patients with successful disease control (complete and partial responders and patients with SD), the median survival was 16.2 months; for non-responders, it was 6.1 months (p 〈 0.003). Eight (88.9%) of 9 patients with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels 〈 50 µg/l achieved successful disease control compared to 12 (34.9%) out of 35 patients with initially elevated AFP (p 〈 0.0001). 〈 i 〉 Conclusion: 〈 /i 〉 Epirubicin appears to be an active therapeutic option for patients with non-resectable HCC. Especially the subgroup of patients with low levels of AFP may benefit from this treatment.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0009-3157
,
1421-9794
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2001
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1482111-4
SSG:
15,3
