Effectiveness of arterial infusion chemotherapy with raltitrexed for hepatic metastasis and its effects on serum con-centrations of vascular endothelial growth factor and alpha fetal protein

Abstract

Objective To observe the effectiveness of arterial infusion chemotherapy with raltitrexed in the treatment of hepatic metastasis and its effect on serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)and alpha fetal protein(AFP)during chemotherapy. Methods Thirty- eight cases of hepatic metastasis were enrolled and received arterial infusion chemotherapy with raltitrexed.Peripheral blood samples were collected at the lst day before the chenmotherapy and 1 day,1 week,2 weeks,1 month and 5- 6 chemotherapy cycles after the invention.The levels of VEGF and AFP were examined.All patients were followed up after 5- 6 chemotherapy cycles to evaluate the short- term effect. Results (1)The mean plasma VEGF levels at the l st day before the chemotherapy and 1 day,1 week,2 weeks,1 month and 5- 6 chemotherapy cycles after the treatment were(296.7±73.4),(443.7±103.3),(354.2±64.5),(414.5±79.5),(332.6±63.7), (202.6±55.8)ng/L respectively.VEGF level at the lst day, 2 weeks, and 5- 6 chemotherapy cycles after the treatment were significantly different from those before the chemotherapy(P 0.05)for the AFPlevel. Conclusion Arterial infusion chemotherapy with raltitrexed is an effective method in hepatic metastasis treatment and can significantly reduce VEGF and AFP levels.The plasma VEGF level can be used as an indicator of short- term effectiveness after the chemotherapy Key words: Raltitrexed; Arterial infusion chemotherapy; Hepatic metastasis; Apha fetal protein; Vascular endothelial growth factor