Study type: Therapeutical study (experimental study)

Evaluation of systemic external microwave hyperthermia for treatment of pleural metastasis in orthotopic lung cancer model med./bio.

Published in: Oncol Rep 2010; 24 (3): 591-598

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of external microwave hyperthermia on apoptosis and cell viability in three different cancer cell lines and in fibroblasts (as controls) and in a in vivo pleural metastasis animal model.

Background/further details

Mice were divided into three groups (8 mice/group): control group and two exposed group (mild, 39°C and moderate, 43°C). Orthotopic tumors are usually established on the lung or on the inner thoracic membrane 10-14 days after tumor inoculation. Mice were treated either by mild or moderate microwave hyperthermia on days 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and day 21 after tumor inoculation. Seven days after the last treatment all mice were sacrificed.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz
Exposure duration: three times (3 sec (37° C = control group), 4 sec (39° C) or 5 sec (43° C)) with a 2 sec interval; 3 days/week for 2 weeks
animal study
Exposure 2: 2.45 GHz
Exposure duration: three times (3 sec (37° C = control group), 5 sec (39° C), 7 sec (43° C) or 9 sec (47° C)) with a 2 sec interval; 3 days/week
in vitro study

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 2.45 GHz
Type
Exposure duration three times (3 sec (37° C = control group), 4 sec (39° C) or 5 sec (43° C)) with a 2 sec interval; 3 days/week for 2 weeks
Additional info animal study
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup two microwave generators mounted vertically into a console facing each other ; cells or animals placed between the two generators
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 500 W - - - -
SAR 500 W/kg maximum measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 2.45 GHz
Type
Exposure duration three times (3 sec (37° C = control group), 5 sec (39° C), 7 sec (43° C) or 9 sec (47° C)) with a 2 sec interval; 3 days/week
Additional info in vitro study
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 500 W - - - -
SAR 1,200 W/kg maximum measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data revealed that cancer cells treated with moderate hyperthermia (43°C) showed significant apoptosis; the induction of apoptosis and the accumulation of sub G0 phase-G1 phase cells were dramatically increased in temperature dependent manner in the three cancer cell lines treated with microwave hyperthermia compared to untreated control cells. In contrast, no major effect was observed to normal fibroblast cells.
Western blot analysis indicated that the strong induction of apoptosis in hyperthermia exposed cancer cells is mediated both by the activation of caspase cascade and apoptotic regulation of Bcl-2 family.
The data of the in vivo investigation showed that metastasized tumors around the pleura and chest cavity were 75% reduced in size and weight after hyperthermia treatment compared to the control group. Harvested tumors demonstrated significant apoptosis in the moderate hyperthermia group. No significant adverse effects were observed including abnormal weight loss, skin burn, ulceration, and death.
The external microwave hyperthermia system may be possible alternative tool as a systemic hyperthermia therapy in severely advanced lung cancer patients. Further study is necessary to determine device safeness, efficacy, and synergistic effect to other possible combination therapies.

Study character:

Study funded by

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