Loco-regional Hyperthermia

Procedure

 In this form of therapy, ultrasounds or low frequency electrical currents are directed, in a controlled and targeted manner, by means of special devices, towards the organ or tissue affected by the tumor. The energy thus produced is absorbed by the extracellular environment where the tumor cells are located, consequently increasing their temperature and producing the intended effects.

The devices that are used transmit the dose of energy in a controlled manner, causing the tissue to heat up to 42.5˚C. Biophysics and cell biology tests have shown that, in tumor areas where cell activity is more intense, a higher ionic concentration is recorded. Therefore, the conductivity and permittivity of the extracellular matrix of malignant tissue becomes higher than in the healthy tissue. This difference facilitates the almost exclusive damage of the malignant cells in a tumor that also contains healthy cells. This natural selection is further accentuated by the individual behavior of the tumor cells, while also stimulating the immune response of the body.

Recommendations

Clinical trials (phases II and III) have proven that loco-regional hyperthermia is recommended for solid tumors, both primary and metastatic. The therapy is able to increase the patient's survival rate and quality of life. It may also be applied for palliative purposes, when conventional therapies are no longer indicated or efficient.
Oncothermia is used in a large number of cancers, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, cancers with abdominal localization (stomach, intestine, liver, pancreas), lung cancer, lymphatic cancer and various other metastases.
Clinical experience has shown that local hyperthermia, especially when performed before or after tumor tissue removal surgery, improves patient recovery parameters and decreases the chances of subsequent metastasis occurrence.

The frequency and duration of hyperthermia application depends entirely on the specific condition of the patient. Generally, therapy is extremely well tolerated. Usually, there are no side effects, even when used concomitantly with other therapies. The heat is applied locally, directly to the affected tissue or organ. During the session, which lasts for approximately 60 minutes, the patient is placed on a special bed, under the continuous observation of the medical staff.

Benefits

 

Chemosensitization

Local therapy, applied in addition to conventional chemotherapy, sensitizes the tumors to this treatment, by affecting the integrity of the tumor cell membrane and increasing the permeability and structural dysfunction, thus increasing the rate of absorption of the administered chemicals. The results of the clinical trials, phases II/III, proved that local hyperthermia, associated with chemotherapy, is a more precise way of targeted administering of antitumor drugs in the tumor.

Radiosensitization

Local hyperthermia sensitizes the tumor to radiotherapy when it is administered complementarily (there is an increase in oxygen supply to the cells). Regional hyperthermia carried out during radiotherapy treatments improves patients' response to treatment and their chances of survival. Hyperthermia increases oxygenation and thus reduces hypoxia, amplifying the cytotoxic effect of radiation. It also inhibits the processes of recovery of tumor cells affected by radiation.

Improves the immune response

Local hyperthermia activates antigen expression as a result of impaired tumor cell membrane. Most notably, the release of heat shock proteins (HSPs) that support the emergence of a tumor destruction immune response. The release, by the affected tumor cells, of the B1 proteins (HMGB1), ATP and HSP stimulates the body's immune response and thus contributes to the antitumor effect. Local hyperthermia also stimulates the restoration of inter-cellular and intermolecular connections necessary to trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) and to stop the migration processes of tumor cells in the body.

Gene damage

Studies have shown that local hyperthermia activates the p53 suppressor tumor gene, which plays a role in lowering the rate of division and in facilitating apoptosis.

Side effects and contraindications

The therapy has minimal risks during administration, and side effects are limited and rare. The application of high temperature to the tumor has minimal effects on the neighboring healthy tissues.
From among side effects, the most common is the slight reddening of the area where the treatment was applied, but the effect disappears by itself due to the function of the highly branched and efficient blood system from healthy tissues. This does not happen in the tumor, as it is irrigated by a deficient capillary system.
The therapy is effective in all forms of cancer, but it is not recommended to be applied in areas where there is a pacemaker or metal stents placed in parallel to the electrode, as well as metal prostheses. Therapy may be applied from the distance of approximately 10-20 cm from these areas.