A Phase II Study of AP (Doxorubicin, Cisplatin) Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한암학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary hepatic carcinoma and is considered to be a highly malignant tumor with poor prognosis. We evaluated the efficacy and toxicities of AP (doxorubicin, cisplatin) comnination chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 1989 and February 1991, 21 previously untreated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were entered and treated with AP combination chemotherapy (adriamycin 60 mg/m2, D1 and cisplatin 60 mg/m2, D1, repeated every 3 weeks). RESULTS: Among 14 evaluable patients, there was no complete response and 5 patients (36%; 95% C.I=10~62%) achieved partial response. The median survival time of all 21 patients was 17 weeks, and 63 weeks in responders (n=5) and 14 weeks in nonresponders (n=16), and the difference in two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). The median time to progression of 14 evaluable patients was 13 weeks, and 49 weeks in the responders (n=5) and 6 weeks in the nonresponders (n=9), and the difference in two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Myelosuppression was minimal and non-hematologic toxicities were gererally mild and well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the combination chemotherpy of AP seems to be an effective regimen for hepatocellular carcinoma. Further trials are recommended for its true efficacy.