Docetaxel Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Developed in Healthy Liver: Report of Three Cases

Abstract

Systemic chemotherapy is generally ineffective in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This could be partly explained by the frequent underlying cirrhosis, which induces serious toxicity requiring dose attenuation or drug discontinuation. We present observations of three patients with HCC developed in healthy liver and treated with docetaxel (100 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks in one patient; 30 mg/m(2) weekly, three times every 4 weeks in two patients). An objective partial response with long-term survival was obtained in all cases without severe toxicity. These results suggest that chemotherapy, and especially docetaxel, could be safe and effective in patients with HCC developed in healthy liver, and should be assessed in specific trials.

Docetaxel inhibits progression of human hepatoma cell line in vitro and is effective in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

“…DTX induced the reduction of tumor volume and disappearance of ascites. Based on our findings and others, DTX may contribute to the treatment of HCC in selected patients who have advanced disease 4,6 . In addition, DTX may be useful as an adjunctive agent or in combination with other agents.…”

“…We used an agent, DTX, which carries toxicity and has not been found to be effective for all patients with advanced HCC 6 . However, as there are reports of benefit in some individuals, we set out to determine if it may be beneficial prior to its administration 4,5 . Although HCC cells from ascites and an established HCC cell line are not always successfully obtained even in advanced cases, we have successfully established a HCC cell line in this case.…”

Prolonged Complete Response after GEMOX Chemotherapy in a Patient with Advanced Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Subsequently, three other patients with HCC in non-cirrhotic livers were treated with docetaxel. An objective response with long-term survival was obtained in all cases [9]. …”

Association between hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma

“…[44] The systemic therapy using chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy or somatostatin analog have been disappointing in patients with advanced HCC. [45] Since HCC is a hypervascular cancer, gene therapy may be used for anti-angiogenesis to reduce tumor growth, and is a promising approach to treat HCC. [46]…”