Purpose: This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of escalated-dosing Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for unresectable, unablatable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) to the liver.
Materials and methods: A retrospective review (September 2009 to March 2020) included 45 patients with liver-dominant mCRC treated with segmental Y90 or modified radiation lobectomy. Patient demographics, treatment details, adverse events, imaging response, and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. OS Prognosticators were examined using log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression.
Results: 45 patients (median age 61.4 years; 60% male) were included, with 96% ECOG 0-1. Prior treatments included primary site resection (93%), liver resection (65%), chemotherapy (60%), and ablation (27%). Extrahepatic disease was present in 51%. 71% of patients had < 25% liver tumor burden (mean tumor size = 4.8 cm). Treatment was technically successful in all cases, with 4% 30-day mortality. Adverse events were mostly low-grade, including fatigue (58%) and abdominal pain (20%). Mean neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) increase was 2.9, and 33% of patients showed 50% reduction in CEA. Imaging responses (RECIST) included SD (80%), PR (18%), PD (2%), and CR (0%), with PET/CT showing 39% objective response after 4.2 months. Median OS was 41.9 months (95% CI 15.4-NE). Extrahepatic disease significantly reduced OS (15.7 vs. 44.4 months, P = .0033). Both pre- and post-NLR (HR:1.42, P = .007; HR 1.12, P = .027) were associated with worse OS. In the multivariable analysis, Pre-NLR and extrahepatic disease remained adverse prognosticators.
Conclusion: Y90 TARE with escalated dosing demonstrated an acceptable safety profile in heavily pretreated mCRC patients. Extrahepatic disease and pre-NLR were significant adverse prognosticators. Future studies should explore Y90 TARE dosing in mCRC patients.
Keywords: Metastatic colorectal cancer; Radioembolization; Survival; Yttrium-90.
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