Learn More About the Clinical Evidence Behind Hepatic Artery Infusion
Learn how the Intera 3000 uses directed chemotherapy to treat liver metastases.
Cancer & HAI Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the three most common cancers. Tumors first form in the inner lining of the colon or the rectum, parts of the digestive system. As with many cancers, if the tumors have spread beyond the colon where they originated, patient treatment can become more complex and challenging. The main route of spread of CRC tumor cells is to the liver.
Cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer, is rarer than colorectal cancer. Bile is a digestive fluid that is created by the liver, stored in the gall bladder, then delivered to the upper small intestine via the bile ducts to help digest fats to be absorbed by the intestines. Cancer of the bile ducts, like colorectal cancer, can also spread within the liver.
Hepatic Artery Infusion (HAI) is a treatment option for patients whose gastrointestinal cancer has spread to the liver. The Hepatic Artery Infusion pump, placed just below the skin, slowly dispenses chemotherapy. A hollow catheter integrated with the pump carries the chemotherapy into an artery that provides blood to the tumors in the liver.
Intera Oncology was founded with the mission to ensure Hepatic Artery Infusion therapy is available to hospitals and their patients.
Fighting cancer is a highly personal battle: go beyond the numbers with patient stories that tell individual journeys from diagnosis to survival and thriving
Hepatic Artery Infusion (HAI)
Drugs for cancer in the liver are frequently given through a patient’s vein into the entire body with only a fraction reaching the tumors in the liver. This results in toxicity that impacts the patient’s entire body Hepatic Artery Infusion therapy (HAI) delivers floxuridine directly to the tumors in the liver minimizing side effects elsewhere. Such local delivery results in up to 400 times higher drug concentration in the tumors compared to delivery of the same drugs through a vein[1]. The healthy parts of the liver continue to receive the blood supply from a separate blood vessel, the portal vein, which is not impacted by HAI therapy. Additionally, the liver rapidly clears floxuridine reducing toxicity elsewhere.
For patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CLM), treatment with HAI therapy has been shown to shrink tumors. In some cases, the tumors shrink to the point that they can be surgically resected. For those undergoing resection, treatment with HAI Therapy as an adjuvant (an addition) to surgery has been shown to reduce tumor recurrence[2].
For over 25 years, the Intera 3000 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump* has been used to deliver the chemotherapy directly to the tumors in the liver while minimizing side effects elsewhere.
For patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CLM), treatment with HAI therapy has been shown to shrink tumors. In some cases, the tumors shrink to the point that they can be surgically resected. For those undergoing resection, treatment with HAI Therapy as an adjuvant (an addition) to surgery has been shown to reduce tumor recurrence[2].
For over 25 years, the Intera 3000 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump* has been used to deliver the chemotherapy directly to the tumors in the liver while minimizing side effects elsewhere.
[1] Ensminger WD, Rosowsky A, Raso V, et al. A clinical-pharmacological evaluation of hepatic arterial infusions of 5-fluoro-20-deoxyuridine and 5-fluorouracil. Cancer Res 1978;38(11 Pt 1):3784-92
[2] Koerkamp BG, Sadot E, Kemeny NE, et al : Perioperative Hepatic Arterial Infusion Pump Chemotherapy Is Associated With Longer Survival After Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Propensity Score Analysis. J Clin Oncol 35. © 2017 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
*Note: The Intera 3000 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump was previously marketed as the Model 3000 Series Pump and Codman® 3000 Series Pump.
Disclaimer: Codman is a registered trademark of Integra LifeSciences Corporation. Intera Oncology is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or sponsored by Integra LifeSciences Corporation.
HAI Therapy FAQs
Q: Who is a candidate for HAI?
Colorectal cancer or bile duct cancer (intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma) patients whose cancer is predominantly in the liver.
Q: Is there a specific reason I may not be a candidate for HAI?
Q: What is the advantage of HAI therapy over systemic chemotherapy alone?
Q: How often will I have/need/receive my chemotherapy?
