Essential Questions to ask if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma ***IMPORTANT***

Transarterial chemoperfusion Information

Posted on: October 16, 2023 *Updated on: May 27, 2024


Transarterial chemoperfusion is an emerging technique that aims to deliver high concentrations of chemotherapy drugs directly to the site of a tumor. This method has the advantage of limiting systemic exposure to chemotherapy, which can reduce side effects that are typically associated with traditional chemotherapy.

Here are some points to consider about this procedure:

Advantages:

  1. Localized Treatment: The chemotherapy drugs are delivered directly to the tumor site, targeting the cancerous cells more effectively.
  2. Reduced Side Effects: Because the drugs are not dispersed throughout the bloodstream, the potential for systemic side effects may be reduced.
  3. High Concentration: This approach allows for higher concentrations of chemotherapy drugs to be administered to the tumor site than what might be possible with systemic chemotherapy.
  4. Potential for Combining Therapies: This procedure can potentially be combined with other treatment modalities like radiation or immunotherapy.
  5. Applicability: Particularly useful in cancers like pleural mesothelioma, which are localized but difficult to surgically remove.

Limitations:

  1. Invasiveness: This method requires the placement of a catheter into an artery, which can have its own risks, such as infection or arterial injury.
  2. Not Curative: As with many cancer treatments, this approach is unlikely to be curative for late-stage cancers but may prolong survival and improve quality of life.
  3. Limited Research: As of my last update in September 2021, there is still limited data on long-term outcomes and comparative effectiveness against traditional methods. The results from the Moffitt Cancer Center are promising but represent one study.
  4. Specialized Centers: This treatment is usually only available at specialized medical centers with the requisite expertise and equipment.
  5. Cost: The cost can be significant and may not be covered by all insurance plans.

Drugs Used:

In the Moffitt Cancer Center trial, a combination of cisplatin, methotrexate, and gemcitabine was used. These are all chemotherapy agents that have different mechanisms of action, which could potentially increase the efficacy of the treatment:

  1. Cisplatin: A platinum-containing drug that disrupts DNA in cancer cells.
  2. Methotrexate: A drug that interferes with the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and protein in cells.
  3. Gemcitabine: A nucleoside analog that interferes with DNA synthesis.

These drugs were injected into the thoracic artery and possibly the internal mammary artery, which is relevant for treating pleural mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining around the lungs.

As with all medical treatments, it’s crucial to discuss the risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare provider. If you’re considering this as a treatment option, consultation with a multidisciplinary team of medical oncologists, surgeons, and interventional radiologists is highly recommended.