The impact of hepatic arterial infusion pump chemotherapy on hepatic recurrences and survival in patients with resected colorectal liver metastases

Background: The objective was to investigate the impact of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy on the rates and patterns of recurrence and survival in patients with resected colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Methods: Recurrence rates, patterns, and survival were compared between patients treated with and without adjuvant HAIP using competing risk analyses.

Results: 2128 patients were included, of which 601 patients (28.2%) received adjuvant HAIP and systemic chemotherapy (HAIP + SYS). The overall recurrence rate was similar with HAIP + SYS or SYS (63.5% versus 64.2%,p = 0.74). The 5-year cumulative incidence of initial intrahepatic recurrences was lower with HAIP + SYS (22.9% versus 38.4%,p < 0.001). The 5-year cumulative incidence of initial extrahepatic recurrences was higher with HAIP + SYS (48.5% versus 40.3%,p = 0.005), because patients remained at risk for extrahepatic recurrence in the absence of intrahepatic recurrence, which was largely attributable to more pulmonary recurrences with HAIP + SYS (33.6% versus 23.7%,p < 0.001). HAIP was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (adjusted HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.60-0.79, p < 0.001), and OS (adjusted HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.57-0.78,p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Adjuvant HAIP chemotherapy is associated with lower intrahepatic recurrence rates and better DFS and OS after resection of CRLM.