Treatment with all-trans retinoic acid plus tamoxifen and vitamin E in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Low serum retinol and hepatic tocopherol levels correlate with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. Antiestrogen tamoxifen seems useful in HCC patients. A pilot study was performed to evaluate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid associated with tamoxifen and vitamin E on patients with advanced HCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Fifteen consecutive patients with advanced HCC were included in the study. Patients were evaluated for survival, quality of life, liver function, tumor mass, toxicity related to the treatment and retinoid receptors in liver biopsies.

RESULTS:

The median survival of our patients was 22 months. Pain and asthenia were improved in the majority of patients. Every patient with baseline elevated liver enzymes showed an improvement in liver function. RAR-alpha, RXR-alpha, RAR-beta and RAR-gamma receptors were demonstrated in 100%, 73%, 47% and 40%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

A combination therapy of all-trans retinoic acid, tamoxifen and vitamin E increases the survival rate and ameliorates the clinical outcome in patients with inoperable HCC.

• Authors: Carlo Clerici, Danilo Castellani, Giuseppe Russo, Stefano Fiorucci, Giuseppe Sabatino, Vittorio Giuliano, Giorgio Gentili, Olivia Morelli, Patrizia Raffo, Monia Baldoni, Antonio Morelli, Salvatore Toma
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 2004 Mar-Apr Vol. 24 Issue 2C Pg. 1255-60 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 15154656 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Tamoxifen
• Vitamin E
• Tretinoin

Topics

• Aged
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Tamoxifen (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Tretinoin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Vitamin E (administration & dosage, adverse effects)