There is an apparent lack of randomised clinical trials demonstrating a therapeutic advantage for intra-arterial, versus systemic, cisplatin administration as cancer treatment. A spontaneous, head and neck epidermal squamous cell carcinoma in sheep was used to compare intra-arterial and equivalent dose intravenous cisplatin infusion. The objective response rate for intra-arterially infused lesions was 73%, with a mean tumour regression for all carcinomas of 70% +/- 6 (sem). In comparison, 27% of intravenously treated carcinomas showed an objective response, the mean volume reduction being 42% +/- 6 (sem). Statistical comparison of the number of objective response lesions was significantly in favour of intra-arterial cisplatin therapy (p<0.05), as was the difference in the mean tumour response for both groups (p<0.005). The experimental data suggest that further study of the clinical application of intra-arterial induction cisplatin therapy is warranted.

Related Articles