Dr. Spaggiari on the Potential Utility of Liver Transplantation in CRC With Liver Metastases

Mario Spaggiari, MD, transplant surgeon, Division of Transplantation, University of Illinois Health, discusses the potential utility of liver transplantation as a treatment option for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases.

Liver transplantation as a treatment for patients with CRC liver metastases is a novel therapeutic opportunity that may come into clinical practice soon, Spaggiari says. The potential of this procedure in CRC liver metastases underscores that no matter how involved a patient’s disease is in the liver, therapeutic options could be available. Moreover, evaluating liver transplantation as a treatment strategy in the early-stage setting may be worthwhile, Spaggiari explains.

Several clinical trials are evaluating liver transplantation in the setting of CRC liver metastases. The results of these studies could demonstrate that liver transplantation is an effective way of managing patients with CRC and unresectable liver metastases. Ultimately, novel options are emerging to treat this patient population, so patients with limited options should seek enrollment on clinical trials at academic medical centers, Spaggiari concludes.