Multicenter Phase II Clinical Trial of Isolated Lung Perfusion in Patients With Lung Metastases

Beckers and colleagues evaluated toxicity and outcomes of regional chemotherapeutic treatment with isolated lung perfusion of melphalan combined with metastasectomy for patients with resectable pulmonary metastases. The prospective study included 107 patients with metastases of colorectal carcinoma, osteosarcoma, or soft-tissue sarcoma. The authors report low morbidity and no long-term pulmonary toxicity. The disease-free and progression-free rates at 5 years were 26% and 44% for patients with colorectal carcinoma and 29% and 63% for patients with sarcoma. The authors conclude that isolated lung perfusion with melphalan combined with metastasectomy is both feasible and safe, and that further evaluation of this approach is warranted.