The DRAGON 2 Trial

Resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CRLM) improves survival compared to chemotherapy alone and may lead to cure in up to 40% of patients. Extended liver resections are sometimes necessary to resect primarily unresectable/ potentially resectable (PU/PR) colorectal liver metastases. These resections are generally performed if the volume of the future liver remnant (FLR) comprises at least 30% of the total volume of the liver (without the volume of the metastases) or when liver function of the FLR on technetium-99m (99mTc) scintigraphy exceeds 2.67%/min/m2.

When this liver volume or function criterion is not met, a high chance of post-hepatectomy liver failure exists. To prevent this, the induction of liver regeneration between a two-stage hepatectomy is commonly performed.

The current standard procedure to induce regeneration is the embolization of the portal vein branches to the tumor carrying liver (PVE) to induce hypertrophy of the remaining part of the liver which will serve as the FLR. Recently, combined embolization of both portal and hepatic veins (PVE/HVE) has been described as a possible superior alternative to PVE, as it increases and accelerates hypertrophy of the FLR. PVE/HVE combines simultaneous embolization of the main portal vein branches into the tumor carrying liver and the hepatic vein draining this part of the liver. Preclinical studies in pigs, several retrospective studies, and the prospective DRAGON 1 interim analysis (n=60) have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of this novel technique. However, no international randomized controlled trial has been performed, in which combined PVE/HVE is compared with PVE

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with primarily unresectable/ potentially resectable CRLM with a FLR <30% (<40% in chemotherapy damaged livers)
• Patients with non-resected primary CRC may be included if there is an intention to resect the CRC after the liver treatment (liver first approach) or simultaneously during one of the liver procedures.
• Patients with resectable or ablatable lung or brain metastases can be included (statement about the resectability of these extrahepatic metastases by a tumor board needs to be available)
• 18 Years and older
• Men and women
• Able to understand the trial and provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant or lactating female.
• Premenopausal females not able or willing to commit to oral contraception
• Patients with prohibitive comorbidities, decision made by local team
• Any patient with non-resectable or non-ablatable extrahepatic disease
• Patients with hepatic malignancies other than CRLM
• Progression of disease by RECIST criteria after cytoreduction chemotherapy
• Complete response after conversion chemotherapy
• Staging CT and (if indicated) CT/MRI brain that demonstrates non-resectable extrahepatic disease
• The anatomy of the liver or manifestation of tumors in relation to the liver veins prohibits the use of combined PVE/HVE.