[
Abstract]
[
Full Text PDF] （in Japanese / 3579KB）
[Members Only And Two Factor Auth.] J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 102(5): 403-408, 2001
Feature topic
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TREATMENT FOR LIVER METASTASIS USING CYTOKINES
The liver is an immunologic organ with liver-associated macrophages, so-called Kupffer cells, and natural killer-like primitive T cells. These cells may play an important role in resistance to liver metastasis. T cells are activated by the T cell growth factor, interleukin-2 (IL-2). Based on the theoretical rationale, a pilot study was conducted in 20 patients with liver metastases from primary colorectal cancer who underwent potentially curative liver resection, followed by adjuvant immunochemotherapy. The regimen consisted of a weekly hepatic arterial infusion of IL-2 1.4－2.1×10
6 units, and 5-fluorouracil 250 mg, and a bolus of mitomycin C 2-4 mg for 6 months. Of the 20 patients, 14 are still alive with a median postoperative survival of 69.7 months (September, 2000). The 5-year overall survival rate is 78%. Although recurrent cancer developed in 6 of the 20 patients, no patients had recurrence in the residual liver. We conclude that IL-2-based immunochemotherapy is useful in combination with liver resection for the prevention of liver recurrence in colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases. A multicenter, randomized trial is recommended.
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