Availability of 5-fluorouracil and High-concentration Cisplatin with Short-term Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

This study's objective was to assess the efficacy and usefulness of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and high-concentration cisplatin by short-term hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (3-day FPL) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.
In this study, 30 patients with unresectable advanced HCC were enrolled. The patients underwent hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy via the implanted port system with 5-FU on Days 1-3 and a fine-powder formulation of cisplatin in suspended pre-warmed lipiodol on Day 2 every 4 to 10 weeks. One month later, CT was used to assess tumour response. The majority of patients with advanced HCC have a poor prognosis.The results of this study demonstrated that all patients had evidence of portal vein invasion (Vp2-4). Four patients achieved a complete response (CR), 8 patients achieved a partial response (PR), and 7 patients had stable disease (SD). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 198 days and 452 days, respectively. The OS was significantly longer in the successful disease control group (CR, PR and SD) than in the disease progression group (P < .005). Due to its quicker delivery than traditional FP therapy, three-day FPL proved efficacious and tolerated in patients with advanced HCC. The prognosis and quality of life of patients with advanced HCC are thus improved by recurrent 3-day FPL, which appears to be effective.