Nuclear Medicine & Radiation Therapy

Beyond First-Line Therapy: Combining Chemotherapy and Radioembolization for Hepatic Colorectal Metastases

Abstract

Joshua E. Meyer and Steven J. Cohen

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains largely an incurable condition. Although progress has been made in expanding the number of available systemic agents, treatment after initial therapy has limited benefit. Radioembolization (RE) with radiolabeled microspheres is an emerging treatment modality for mCRC. Given the potential benefit of chemotherapy to control systemic disease and act as a radiosensitizer, there is high enthusiasm for studying RE and chemotherapy combinations, particularly after initial systemic therapy for patients with liver dominant or confined disease. This manuscript reviews the rationale for this approach, summarizes recently reported clinical trials, and provides a perspective for everyday practice and future unanswered research questions.