The role of floxuridine in metastatic liver disease.

Abstract

Liver metastases are mainly supplied by the hepatic artery. Sustained high levels of intratumoral drug are achievable with certain drugs given via the hepatic artery. Floxuridine (FUDR) is an ideal drug for hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) due to its short half life, steep dose response curve, high total body clearance, and high hepatic extraction. HAI FUDR has consistently shown higher response rates than systemic chemotherapy alone, and some studies have shown a survival advantage. HAI FUDR in combination with systemic chemotherapy has evolved over the years and may be used in palliative, neoadjuvant, and adjuvant settings. The dramatic responses observed with HAI FUDR plus modern era systemic chemotherapy offer the possibility of resection and cure in selected patients. The high hepatic extraction of FUDR limits systemic side effects. Toxicity includes biliary and gastrointestinal ulcers.

• Authors: Derek G Power, Nancy E Kemeny
• Journal: Molecular cancer therapeutics (Mol Cancer Ther) Vol. 8 Issue 5 Pg. 1015-25 (May 2009) ISSN: 1538-8514 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19383854 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Floxuridine
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use, toxicity)
• Floxuridine (administration & dosage, therapeutic use, toxicity)
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Hepatic Artery
• Humans
• Infusions, Intra-Arterial
• Liver (drug effects)
• Liver Neoplasms (drug therapy, secondary, surgery)
• Neoadjuvant Therapy
• Survival Analysis