Did not meet the criteria for continuation to second stage

Various cytotoxic agents have been evaluated in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, but response rates have been low with significant toxicity, most often due to parenchymal liver disease. The three agents etoposide, oxaliplatin and capecitabine each has sparse efficacy as single agents, but the combination may act synergistically with an acceptable toxicity profile.

Design:

Open phase II study.

Purpose:

Response rate for the combination of etoposide, oxaliplatin and capecitabine given every 3 weeks on an outpatient basis.

Secondary endpoint are safety, time to progression and survival

Treatment:

Etoposide are administered intravenously 100 mg/m2 on day 1 and orally 200 mg/m2 on days 2 and 3.

Capecitabine (Xeloda) are administered 1000 mg/m2 twice daily with 12 hours interval for two weeks and one week off

Oxaliplatin are administered intravenously 100 mg/m2 on day 1 in each cycle as a 2 hours infusion.

One cycle is 3 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically verified intra- or extrahepatic inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma or hyperdense liver lesion at computed tomography and concurrent elevated alpha-feto-protein > 400 ng/ml
• PS 0-2
• Age 18-75
• Life expectancy > 12 weeks
• Normal bone marrow function (neutrophiles > 1,5 x 109/l and platelets > 100 x 109/l)
• Bilirubin < 2 x UNL
• Transaminases < 3 x UNL
• Normal renal function, Cr-EDTA clearance > 50 ml/min
• No chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy 4 weeks prior to inclusion
• No uncontrolled, severe concurrent medical disease
• Fertile women must have a negative pregnancy test
• Fertile women must use adequate contraceptives during and 3 months after trial exposure
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy 4 weeks prior to inclusion
• Experimental therapy < 8 weeks prior to inclusion
• Known DPD-deficiency
• Known neuropathy
• Uncontrolled, severe concurrent medical disease
• Prior malignancy during the last 5 years, except for non-melanoma skin cancer and carcinoma in situ cervix uteri.