Chronic thalidomide and chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been used to curtail tumor vasculature and delay tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted a phase I trial to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of thalidomide when combined with TACE in patients with advanced HCC.

Methods

Between June 2000 and November 2003, 56 patients with unresectable HCC and amenable to TACE were enrolled. The starting dose of thalidomide was 200 mg/day and was escalated every 2 weeks as tolerated to a maximum dose of 1,000 mg/day. Dose reductions and discontinuation were determined by toxicity. TACE was performed 4 weeks after initiation of thalidomide therapy and repeated as necessary.

Results

Overall, 47 and 55 patients were evaluable for response and toxici

SUBMITTER: Wu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4257750 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature