Clinical Application of Hyperthermia to Soft Tissue Sarcoma; Result of Single Institution

Abstract

: Radio-hyperthermo-chemotherapy (RHC), which combines radiotherapy, hyperthermia, and chemotherapy, for malignant soft-tissue tumors was introduced with the aim of decreasing local recurrence after surgery. We performed various experiments to apply this trimodal therapy to soft-tissue sarcomas, and herein review progress at our institution. In vitro application of hyperthermia (42-43 ℃ ) resulted in apoptosis and selectively decreased the number of cells in the G1 phase, which are thought to exhibit radioresistance. Moreover, simultaneous administration of hyperthermia (42 ℃ ) with cisplatin increased the concentration of the anti-tumor agent within the cells, resulting in significant inhibition of DNA synthesis. These findings reinforced the synergic effects of hyperthermia and chemotherapy / radiotherapy. 87.1% in the RHC and database groups, respectively ; p ＝ 0.04), despite patients in the RHC group undergoing surgery with closer margins. Thus, RHC neoadjuvant therapy inhibits local recurrence, demonstrating a new strategy for treating soft-tissue sarcoma following less invasive surgery, potentially resulting in limb preservation and averting amputation.