Low-dose thalidomide treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of oral thalidomide in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC). Methods: Sixty- eight patients with unresectable and nonembolizable HCC were consecutively enrolled in a compassionate treatment program of oral thalidomide. Tumor response and treatment- related toxicity were prospectively followed. Thalidomide was given at a starting dose of 200 mg per day. The dose was gradually escalated in 100- mg steps up to 600 mg per day if no limiting toxicities developed. Results: Sixty- three patients were evaluable for response. One complete and 3 partial responses, defined by World Health Organization criteria, were seen, with a response rate of 6.3% ( 95% CI 0 - 12.5). The duration of response was 50+, 24.6, 11.6+ and 8.7+ weeks, respectively. All 4 responders had a dramatic decrease in alpha- fetoprotein ( alpha- FP) levels. Another 6 of the 42 patients with elevated alpha- FP levels before treatment had a more than 50% decrease in their alpha- FP levels after thalidomide treatment. Totally 10 patients had an objective response to thalidomide. The median overall survival for all of the 68 patients was 18.7 weeks ( 95% CI 11.8 - 25.6) with a 1- year survival rate of 27.6%. The median overall survival of the 10 patients with an objective response to thalidomide was 62.4 weeks ( 95% CI 31.2 - 93.6 weeks). All responders responded at a dose equal to or less than 300 mg per day. Toxicities of thalidomide were generally manageable, and only 16, 6, and 0 patients developed grade 2, 3, and 4 toxicities, respectively. Conclusion: Low- dose thalidomide is safe and induces unequivocal tumor response in a minority of patients with advanced HCC. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.