Hepatic intra-arterial and systemic chemotherapy followed by maintenance therapy for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma

AIM: The aim is to report clinical outcomes of hepatic intra-arterial (IACHT) and systemic chemotherapy (SCHT), followed by gemcitabine-based maintenance therapy (maintenance), for the treatment of relapsed or unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. PATIENTS & METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, 145 cholangiocarcinoma patients were treated with Epirubicin-Cisplatin as IACHT associated with Capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil as SCHT. Maintenance was performed with gemcitabine-based schedule. Toxicity was assessed with NCI-CTCAE and tumor response with RECIST 1.1. RESULTS: Tumor response was complete in 1%, partial in 20%, stable disease in 48% and progression in 31% of patients (3 months after therapy). The most frequent adverse events were: anemia (24%), nausea and vomiting (33%), alopecia (60%). CONCLUSION: Cholangiocarcinoma patients may benefit from IAHCT-SCHT. Maintenance may prolong clinical benefits. ClinicalTrials.gov registry Identifier: NCT01920503.