In a nutshell
This study investigated how oxaliplatin chemotherapy causes liver damage.
The authors provided insight into the mechanism of liver injury, and suggest that bevacizumab (Avastin) may protect against such injury.
Some background
Oxaliplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug which is commonly used to treat advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, treatment may result in liver injury. One serious form of liver damage which can result from oxaliplatin treatment is sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). It is thought that SOS arises when oxaliplatin causes damage to liver cells. This leads to the release of a protein called von Willebrand factor (VWF). One study showed that fewer patients who were treated with bevacizumab and an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy developed SOS than patients who did not receive bevacizumab. Another study reported that the addition of bevacizumab to oxaliplatin chemotherapy had a protective effect in the liver.
Methods & findings
This study investigated how liver damage arises after oxaliplatin chemotherapy. The effect of the addition of bevacizumab was also analyzed. 23 patients with advanced CRC took part. All patients received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. 17 patients also received bevacizumab. Patients were tested for liver damage by measuring blood levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Patients’ VWF levels were also measured.
2-5 months after chemotherapy, levels of VWF in patients who had not received bevacizumab were significantly lower than in those who had been treated with bevacizumab. Compared to patients who were treated with bevacizumab, patients who did not receive bevacizumab had significantly higher blood levels of AST 3 months after chemotherapy. 6 patients who had not been treated with bevacizumab developed liver damage. In comparison, none of the patients who received bevacizumab developed liver damage.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that VWF levels can indicate liver damage in oxaliplatin chemotherapy patients. It is suggested that bevacizumab may protect against liver damage in these patients.
The fine print
Further randomized studies need to be carried out to confirm the results of this small trial.
Published By :
PLOS ONE
Date :
Nov 18, 2015
Why take six months of this if there is no sign of cancer. Had surgery. And lymph nodes are being treated. As precaution. Too fatigued and chemo brain why!! And now worry about liver and permanent damage.
Had surgery which doctor said it remove the cancer and it’s out of my body, so why do i need to have chemotherapy when the damages are far worst than the cancer itself