Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) therapy

Hepatic artery infusion therapy is an FDA-approved treatment for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). An implanted pump delivers chemotherapy directly to the liver, achieving high drug concentrations without adding systemic side effects.

Hepatic artery infusion therapy is typically initiated two to four weeks after surgery. During treatment, the pump is refilled every two weeks, alternating chemotherapy with heparinized saline. Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center offers this innovative, personalized cancer treatment not typically available at other hospitals.

• Provides targeted delivery of chemotherapy
• Allows for higher concentrations of chemotherapy
• May provide reduction in tumor burden*

*For some unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases, HAI therapy in combination with systemic chemotherapy has demonstrated a reduction of liver tumor burden, enabling previously unresectable tumors to be successfully removed.

This therapy may be used in patients fit to undergo major abdominal surgery and with confirmed colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver. Our medical and surgical oncologists work together to determine if hepatic artery infusion therapy is appropriate for each patient.