Phase 1 study of intra-arterial hepatic (IAH) delivery of doxorubicin-transdrug (DT) for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Abstract

14094 Background: HCC is a highly chemoresistant due to MDR efflux pumps. DT is a newly cytotoxic chemotherapy composed of doxorubicin-loadded polyisohexylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles, allowing doxorubicin to overcome MDR pumps [Barraud, J Hepatol 2005; 42: 736]. Methods: 16 cirrhotic patients (pts) of Child-Pugh A with advanced HCC, transaminases/GGT <5N, platelets >100000/mm3, neutrophiles >1500/mm3, were enrolled in a multicentric noncontrolled study. A single IAH injection of 10, 20, 30, 35, or 40mg/m2 DT (respectively 3,3,4, and 3 pts) was performed, tolerance and efficacy being assessed 4 weeks later. Results: Grade 4 neutropenia (2pts at 40mg/m2) gave the Maximal Tolerated Dose. Grade 2–3 hypertransaminasemia (transient) occurred dose-independently. Two serious adverse events (SAE) were hypotension and acute respiratory distress syndrome. All adverse events (AE) (90% grade 1–2) occurring during injection were dose-independent, and completely and fastly recovered : cough (6pts), dyspnea (2pts), SaO2 decrease (2pts), tachycardia (2pts), bradycardia (2pts), hypotension (2pts). Anti-tumor efficacy of DT was evaluated by helicoidal CT-scan with contrast injection 4 weeks after injection : 3pts (20%) showed partial response with frank decrease of contrast enhancement at arterial perfusion, 8pts (50%) remained stable, and 5pts (30%) had progression. Conclusions: This phase 1 showed that a single IAH injection of DT was safe until 35 mg/m2 for Child-Pugh A patients with advanced HCC. This dosage will be retained for the phase 2 step comprising 3 injections at 4-week intervals which will aim at confirming the antitumour efficacy of DT for HCC. [Table: see text]