Abstract

4061 Background: The impact of cetuximab-containing chemotherapy on resectability of previously unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is unknown, especially in patients resistant to first-line chemotherapy. This study was performed to determine the cetuximab resectability rate, and to examine the outcomes of these heavily pretreated patients after hepatic resection. Methods: From February 2004 to April 2006, we evaluated 151 patients with unresectable CLM resistant to initial chemotherapy and subsequently treated with cetuximab-containing regimens. 133 patients (88%) were completely treated at our institution and 18 patients (12%) received systemic therapy elsewhere. Resectability rates, perioperative outcomes, survivals, and histopathological analysis of the tumoral and non- tumoral liver were assessed. Results: 27 patients were operated after a median of 6 cycles of cetuximab + irinotecan (20/27), oxaliplatin (4/27), or both (1/27). 18 of these patients (67%) had failed at least 2 lines of prior chemotherapy. 25 patients underwent hepatectomy, including 9 of 133 patients completely treated at our institution (resectability rate: 7%) and 16 of 18 referred patients. Postoperative mortality was 3.7% (1/27), with a complication rate of 50%. Complete tumor necrosis was observed in 2 patients (8%). Histopathological liver abnormalities were found in 9 patients (36%), without any specific lesion related to cetuximab. After a median follow-up of 16 months (range 6–39), all but one resected patients were alive, 10 of whom were disease-free. Conclusions: For CLM refractory to conventional chemotherapy, combination chemotherapy with cetuximab significantly increased resectability rates with no appreciable increase in operative mortality or liver injury. Longer follow-up is awaited to confirm the encouraging results of this new oncosurgical strategy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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