Transarterial Infusion Chemotherapy with FOLFOX Could be an Effective and Safe Treatment for Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Background. Transarterial infusion (TAI) chemotherapy with the FOLFOX regimen has shown good efficacy and safety in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it has not been reported in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Methods. The data of consecutive patients with unresectable ICC who underwent TAI with the FOLFOX regimen from November 2016 to September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment effectiveness and safety were evaluated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, Cox regression models, and χ2 test. Results. Twenty-nine patients were included in the study. The median overall survival (OS) was 16.2 months (95% CI, 13.0-19.4). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.7 months (95% CI, 6.2-11.1). Twenty-seven patients were included in the efficacy analysis. There were 0, 10, 13, and 4 patients with CR, PR, SD, and PD, respectively, based on mRECIST criteria. The ORR was 37.0%, and the DCR was 85.2%. There were 27 patients (93.1%) who experienced grade 1-2 AEs, while only 1 patient experienced grade 3 AEs. Conclusion. TAI with the FOLFOX regimen could be an effective and safe treatment for unresectable ICC.