Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI) has often been selected as a therapeutic option for patients with far-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), either unresectable or difficult to treat with local therapy. However, the survival benefits with this therapy have not yet been unequivocally proved so far. No standard regimen has been established despite developing drug delivery devices or chemotherapeutic regimens. Recently, several regimens of HAI with interferon have shown the tumor response and survival benefit, and such a combination therapy would be a new promising therapeutic strategy of advanced HCC. We emphasize that HAI should be performed on the basis of appropriate skills, with knowledge of pharmacokinetics. © 2007, THE JAPAN SOCIETY OF DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM. All rights reserved.