A systematic review on the safety and efficacy of yttrium-90 radioembolization for unresectable, chemorefractory colorectal cancer liver metastases

The management of unresectable, chemorefractory colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) is a clinical dilemma. Yttrium-90 (Y90) radioembolization is a potentially safe and effective treatment for patients with CRCLM who have failed conventional chemotherapy regimens.

A systematic review of clinical studies before November 2012 was performed to examine the radiological response, overall survival and progression-free survival of patients who underwent Y90 radioembolization of unresectable CRCLM refractory to systemic therapy. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the safety profile of this treatment and identify prognostic factors for overall survival.

Twenty studies comprising 979 patients were examined. Patients had failed a median of 3 lines of chemotherapy (range 2–5). After treatment, the average reported value of patients with complete radiological response, partial response and stable disease was 0 % (range 0–6 %), 31 % (range 0–73 %) and 40.5 % (range 17–76 %), respectively. The median time to intra-hepatic progression was 9 months (range 6–16). The median overall survival was 12 months (range 8.3–36). The overall acute toxicity rate ranged from 11 to 100 % (median 40.5 %). Most cases of acute toxicity were mild (Grade I or II) (median 39 %; range 7–100 %) which resolved without intervention. The number of previous lines of chemotherapy (≥3), poor radiological response to treatment, extra-hepatic disease and extensive liver disease (≥25 %) were the factors most commonly associated with poorer overall survival.

Y90 radioembolization is a safe and effective treatment of CRCLM in the salvage setting and should be more widely utilized.