Our experiment was designed to elucidate the efficacy of continuous intraportal
chemotherapy (
CIPC) for the prevention of liver
metastases.
Catheter was introduced into ileocecal vein of white rabbit for administration of
adriamycin (ADM). VX2 cells were inoculated into portal vein to form liver
metastases. Three experiments were designed as follows: 1) Immediately after inoculation of
tumor cells, ADM was administered continuously for 7 days. 2) Continuous administration of ADM started on the 3rd day after inoculation of
tumor cells. 3) Immediately after inoculation of
tumor cells, ADM was administered by
CIPC or systemically for 7 days. The same number of
tumor cells were inoculated into portal vein and no treatment was given in control group. The rabbits were sacrificed on the 14th day. Number and size of liver
metastases were calculated. Results were as follows: In 1) and 2), the
metastases in
CIPC group were significantly decreased in number and size compared with those in control group. In 3), no
metastasis was observed in
CIPC group, but a third of the rabbits developed
metastases in systemic group. These results suggest that
CIPC is effective for prevention of liver
metastases and its efficacy is greater than for systemic
chemotherapy.