Small Particle DEBIRI TACE as Salvage Therapy in Patients with Liver Dominant Colorectal Cancer Metastasis: Retrospective Analysis of Safety and Outcomes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of 40 µm and 75 µm calibrated irinotecan-eluting beads (DEBIRI-TACE) for the treatment of colorectal cancer metastases. We conducted a retrospective review of 36 patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer who were treated with DEBIRI-TACE between 2017 to 2020. Patients who received at least one session of DEBIRI were included in our analysis. A total of 105 DEBIRI sessions were completed. 86% of patients (n = 31) underwent one round of treatment, 14% of patients (n = 5) underwent two distinct rounds of treatment. The majority of patients were discharged the next day (92%, n = 33 patients) with no 30-day post-DEBIRI mortality. Five high-grade adverse events occurred, including longer stay for pain management (n = 2), postembolization syndrome requiring readmission (n = 2), and liver abscess (n = 1). The average survival from diagnosis of metastatic disease was 33.3 months (range 11–95, median 28). Nine of 36 patients are still alive (December 2020) and have an average follow-up time of 36.8 months from T0 (range 12–63, median 39). Small particle DEBIRI is safe and well-tolerated in the salvage setting, with outcomes comparable to that of larger bead sizes.

Keywords

• transarterial chemoembolization
• colorectal cancer
• drug eluting beads with irinotecan