Differential tumor regression in patients with bilobar hepatic metastases and dual arterial supply: evidence supporting the advantage of intra-arterial over intravenous route of drug delivery.

Abstract

Two patients with bilobar liver metastases were characterized by dual arterial blood supply to the liver. Treatment of both patients by the administration of chemotherapy, selectively via the arterial branches supplying the respective hepatic lobes bearing the metastases, resulted in differential tumor regression/progression. Thus, while the metastases borne by the arterially infused lobe regressed, the counterpart in the other (systemically infused) lobe showed marked progression. This phenomenon lends strong support to the notion that arterial infusion of chemotherapy in cases of regionally predominant (or confined) neoplastic disease, i.e., in the liver, is superior to the intravenous administration of similar drugs.