Liver metastases from uveal melanoma: clinical experience of hepatic arterial infusion of cisplatin, vinblastine and dacarbazine.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver is the most common site of metastases in uveal melanoma. Hepatic arterial infusion of cytotoxic agents may be an effective method of controlling the disease in these patients. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of 10 patients with hepatic metastases of uveal melanoma treated with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of the combination of cisplatin, vinblastine and dacarbazine was performed. RESULTS: Two patients had an objective response, 4 patients had stable disease and 4 patients had progressive disease. The median survival from the start of therapy was 16 (range 5 - 69) months. HAI of second line agents was of limited effectiveness. All patients with progressive disease died within one year while all patients with clinical benefit response (objective response or stable disease) survived more than one year. CONCLUSIONS: Present data demonstrate, in agreement with the literature, the effectiveness of HAI in the treatment of uveal melanoma metastatic to the liver. The HAI of combination of cisplatin, vinblastine and dacarbazine seems to have similar efficacy as other HAI regimens.