Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of repeated administration of 90Y-microspheres in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) relapsed after the first radioembolization (RE). Methods: Nine patients with ICC relapsed after the first 90Y-RE were enrolled. Six patients presented recurrence in the right hepatic lobe, 3 in the left lobe. All subjects underwent a second administration of 90Y-resin microspheres. Toxicity was assessed according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, version 4.02). After the repeated treatment, all patients were submitted to follow-up with laboratory, imaging, and clinical examinations. Results: The mean cumulative activity administered considering both treatments was 2.7 ± 0.5 GBq. After the second treatment, 3 patients presented complete metabolic response (33.3%) and 6 had partial response (66.6%). The following adverse events were registered: transient increased levels of liver enzymes (grade 1 = 4; grade 2 = 2), hyperbilirubinemia (grade 1 = 2), ascites (grade 2 = 1), and duodenal ulcer (grade 2 = 1). Two patients developed a significant shrinking of the targeted hepatic lobe, as for radiation lobectomy. No case of RE-induced liver disease was registered. Median overall survival was 16.5 ± 1.4 months after the first RE. Conclusions: The authors' results suggest that repeated administration of 90Y-microspheres may be considered in patients affected by ICC relapsed after the first 90Y-RE.
Keywords: Y-microspheres; intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; radioembolization; relapse.