University Medical Center Now Offering Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Therapy

University Medical Center (UMC) is happy to announce that they are now providing Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) Pump treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma/bile duct cancer who are initially not candidates for resection surgery. 

A multidisciplinary program, the HAI Pump treatment was established by Dr. Omeed Moaven, a hepatobiliary surgical oncologist, and involves surgical oncology, medical oncology, intervention radiology and nuclear medicine services. Led by Dr. Moaven and Dr. Thomas Reske, a gastrointestinal (GI) medical oncologist, the expert team at UMC is committed to expanding advanced treatment options for patients across the Greater New Orleans area.  

“This approach has been shown to significantly improve tumor response rates, progression-free survival and, in select cases, conversion to resectability, offering patients a chance for curative-intent surgery,” said Dr. Moaven. “A dedicated HAI program enhances multidisciplinary collaboration, integrates cutting-edge research and clinical trials, as well as provides patients with access to specialized, high-impact therapies not widely available. Furthermore, implementing such a program strengthens a cancer center’s reputation as a regional leader in innovative cancer care, improving both patient outcomes and institutional visibility in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) oncology. As the flagship hospital in our journey for National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation, it is important to offer all the therapeutic modalities that are available for patients in comprehensive cancer centers.” 

This innovative therapy delivers high-dose chemotherapy directly to the liver, maximizing treatment efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects, with the goal of maximizing disease control and down-staging some of these patients. Dr. Moaven and his team have successfully placed the first two HAI pumps within the LCMC Health system, and Dr. Reske and his team have started treatment.  

Additionally, the highly skilled chemotherapy nursing team plays an essential role in ensuring the safe and effective administration of this treatment. Amanda Evans, BSN, RN, OCN, has been instrumental in establishing the program and leading the training of our chemotherapy nurses in the specialized administration of this therapy, ensuring the highest standard of care for their patients.