Phase II study of first-line radioembolization with yttrium-90 glass microspheres for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Abstract

482 Background: The standard of care for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is systemic chemotherapy. The role of liver directed therapy for ICC is controversial given the lack of level I data. We conducted a phase II study to determine the safety and effectiveness of first-line liver directed therapy with radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y90) glass microspheres for ICC. Methods: Eligible patients were enrolled on an IRB-approved phase II study (NCT01253148). Patients were included if they had no evidence of extrahepatic metastases, Childs-Pugh A, without main portal vein thrombus, bilirubin < 2 mg/dL, ECOG performance status of 0-2, and no prior chemotherapy, liver embolization, or radiation therapy for ICC. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Results: Twenty-five patients were enrolled between 2010 and 2013 with a median followup of 13 months (9-20 months). The median age was 76 years. Twenty patients came off study due to progression or death. The overall response rate was 56%. Median PFS was 6 months (95% CI: 4-12 months). This was likely due to tumors appearing larger after treatment due to tumor inflammation despite a decrease in CA19-9 levels. Univariate (UVA) and multivariate analysis (MVA) failed to identify any prognostic factors associated with PFS. Despite the low median PFS, median OS was 22 months (95% CI: 10 months to upper limit not reached). However, UVA and MVA failed to identify and prognostic factors for OS. Treatment was well tolerated with no reported grade 3 gastrointestinal or general disorder toxicities. Grade 3 ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase increase were reported in 4%, 4%, and 8%, respectively. Grade 4 hyperbilirubinemia and thrombocytopenia were reported in 4% and 4%, respectively. There were 2 patient who developed sepsis one patient who died within 30 days of treatment. Conclusions: First-line liver directed therapy with radioembolization with Y90 glass microspheres is a safe and effective treatment for ICC. Further prospective clinical trials are needed to identify the proper sequencing of liver directed therapy and systemic chemotherapy. Clinical trial information: NCT01253148.