Hepatic artery infusion improved the outcomes of patients with advanced colorectal cancer surgery

This study investigated the impact of hepatic artery infusion (HAI) after advanced colorectal cancer surgery in patients with liver metastasis. Researchers suggested that HAI is associated with improved outcomes in these patients regardless of KRAS mutation status.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. About 60% of these patients develop liver metastasis (cancer spreads to the liver). Liver surgery is associated with the best outcomes and with a 10-year survival of 20 to 25% in these patients. Prior studies showed no benefit in giving chemotherapy to patients after liver surgery.

Recurrence (when cancer comes back) occurs in 65 to 80% of patients after liver surgery. HAI is a medical procedure that delivers chemotherapy directly to the liver. Prior studies showed that combined treatment with chemotherapy and HAI after liver surgery improves recurrence and survival.

Cancer mutations (permanent change) increases cancer progression and spread. KRAS mutation is associated with an increased risk of death or recurrence. However, the impact of KRAS mutation in colorectal cancer patients who received HAI after liver surgery is still not clear.

This study included information about 674 colorectal cancer patients who underwent liver surgery. Of these, 54% received HAI after surgery. The average followed-up period was 6.5 years. KRAS mutation status was also analyzed.

In patients without KRAS mutation, the 5-year survival was 78% for the HAI group and 57% for the non-HAI group. Patients without KRAS mutations treated with HAI had a 49% improvement in the odds a better survival.

In patients with KRAS mutations (abnormalities in the KRAS gene), the 5-year survival was 59% for the HAI group and 40% for the non-HAI group. Patients with the KRAS mutation that were treated with HAI had a 44% improvement in the odds of better survival.

Overall, patients who received HAI had a 47% improvement in the odds of a better overall survival, regardless of KRAS mutation.

This study concluded that HAI after colorectal cancer liver surgery is associated with improved outcomes, regardless of KRAS mutation status.

This study was based on medical records. Some information might have been incomplete. This might affect the results.