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Adriamycin treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma experience with 109 patients
Author(s) -
Sciarrino Elio,
Simonetti Rosa Giovanna,
Moli Salvatore Le,
Pagliaro Luigi
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19851215)56:12<2751::aid-cncr2820561205>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatocellular carcinoma , carcinoma , oncology
One hundred nine patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with intravenous (IV) Adriamycin (doxorubicin). Cumulative survival rate was 34% at 6 months and 13% at 1 year. Survival was positively related to a good performance status and to alpha‐fetoprotein <50 ng/ml, not influenced by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and by presence of clear cells in the tumor. Partial response (alpha‐fetoprotein decrease by <50% of the initial value) was observed in 10 patients and complete response in 1 patient, always within the fourth dose, with a 10% response rate. Twenty of 75 symptomatic patients (27%) achieved improvement in performance and/or pain reduction. Withdrawal of treatment became necessary for side effects in six patients. In conclusion, IV Adriamycin in hepatocellular carcinoma has only limited efficacy. Because of its early activity, treatment can be stopped after three doses if there is no evidence of response.