Preoperative Chemotherapy with Bevacizumab Extends Disease-free Survival After Resection of Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background: The benefit of preoperative chemotherapy for patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer remains unclear. We evaluated the efficacy of preoperative chemotherapy with bevacizumab in such patients, and attempted to identify clinical predictors of recurrence.

Patients and methods: Between February 2007 and December 2013, a total of 65 liver resections for colorectal metastases were performed at our Institution; 47 patients underwent preoperative chemotherapy, which consisted of modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) in 42 cases. The last clinical follow-up was in December 2014. Demographic and clinicopathological factors were reviewed for each patient, and potential predictors of recurrence after liver resection were evaluated. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared with respect to clinicopathological factors.

Results: The 3- and 5-year OS rates were 73.9% and 62.5%, respectively. The time at which metastases appeared, and the extent of metastasis according to the Japanese classification did not significantly affect OS or DFS. However, mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab significantly improved DFS compared to mFOLFOX6 alone. Patients did not experience worsening of hepatic dysfunction during preoperative chemotherapy, and tolerated surgical stress well.

Conclusion: Preoperative chemotherapy with bevacizumab appears to be an effective treatment modality for liver metastases from colorectal cancer, and results in prolonged DFS.

Keywords: FOLFOX; bevacizumab; colorectal cancer; liver metastasis.