|
Regional Chemotherapy for Inoperable Liver Metastases
Untitled Document
Name of the Trial
Phase III Randomized Study of Percutaneous Isolated Hepatic Arterial Perfusion
With Melphalan With Subsequent Venous Hemofiltration Versus Best Alternative
Standard Treatment in Patients With Unresectable Liver Metastases Secondary
to Ocular or Cutaneous Melanoma (NCI-06-C-0088). See the protocol
summary.
Principal Investigator
 |
Dr. James Pingpank
Principal Investigator |
Dr. James Pingpank, NCI Center for Cancer Research.
Why This Trial Is Important
Some types of cancer, such as melanoma, spread preferentially to the liver,
where they may form new tumors called liver metastases. One technique used to
treat liver metastases that cannot be surgically removed (unresectable) is called
isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP).
In IHP, the flow of blood into and out of the liver is temporarily isolated
from the body's circulatory system and high doses of anticancer drugs, such
as melphalan, are infused directly into the liver through an artery known as
the hepatic artery. This technique allows the delivery of high doses of chemotherapy
to liver metastases while sparing the rest of the body from drug exposure.
In this trial, doctors are testing a type of IHP called percutaneous isolated
hepatic arterial perfusion (PHP) in patients with liver metastases from ocular
(eye) or cutaneous (skin) melanoma. In PHP, catheters inserted through the skin
are used to deliver drugs to the liver, block the flow of blood from the liver,
and then remove the drugs. In contrast with IHP, this technique avoids the complications
of major surgery and can be repeated if necessary.
"With this study, we're comparing treatment with systemic chemotherapy
versus a minimally invasive method of delivering chemotherapy regionally to
the affected organ," said Dr. Pingpank. "We hope to establish regional
chemotherapy as a standard of care for patients with metastatic ocular melanoma,
a disease for which no standard therapy currently exists."
Who Can Join This Trial
Researchers seek to enroll 92 patients with liver metastases secondary to ocular
or cutaneous melanoma that cannot be surgically removed. See the list
of eligibility criteria.
Study Site and Contact Information
This study is taking place at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Md, and
elsewhere. For more information, call the NCI Clinical Trials Referral Office
at 1-888-NCI-1937. The call is toll free and confidential.
 Back to Top |
