[Hepatic arterial infusion of degradable starch microspheres (DSM) with adriamycin or mitomycin C in liver cancer].

Degradable starch microspheres (DSM) have a mean diameter of 45 micron and temporarily obstruct blood flow at the arteriolar (micro-circulatory) level. A new approach was attempted to improve the anticancer effect on non-resectable liver cancer with simultaneous administration of DSM and MMC (mitomycin C) or ADR (adriamycin) into hepatic artery. Three patients with primary liver cancer were treated with DSM (600-1200 mg) and ADR (20-60 mg), and five with metastatic liver cancer were treated with DSM and MMC (10-20 mg). The treatment was repeated two to ten times. Partial or minor responses were observed in 1 out of 3 cases of primary liver cancer and 3 out of 5 metastatic cases. Side effects of DSM were temporary and mild epigastric or chest pain, vomiting, fever, slight dyspnea, etc. A temporary change in the liver functional data (GOT, GPT) was noted in 3 patients. Selective intra-hepatic arterial chemo-embolization therapy with DSM would appear to be beneficial for the treatment of liver cancers with appropriate indications. Cases in which DSM and anticancer drugs were effected were presented in detail.