Study summary

Chemotherapy delivered straight to the liver shrank tumors in about a third

FOCUS liver perfusion trial · 91 treated, phase 3 single-arm · Published May 2024, Annals of Surgical Oncology

36.3%of tumors shrank

What was tested

Melphalan given through a catheter into the liver, with the blood filtered before it returns to the body, for uveal melanoma that has spread to the liver.

What they found

Tumors shrank in 36.3%, and 7.7% had a complete response.
Median survival was 20.5 months.
Low blood counts were the main serious side effect.

What it means

An FDA-approved option (Hepzato) for liver-dominant disease.

Ann Surg Oncol, via PubMed ↗ ← Back to the outlook

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