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A new antitumour treatment combining radiation and electric pulses
P E Engström1, B R Persson, A Brun
1Department of Radiation Physics, Lund University Hospital, Sweden.
Aim:
To investigate the antitumour effect of radiation in combination with electropermeabilization on subcutaneous rat glioma tumours.
Materials And Methods:
Sub-optimal radiation treatment was administered separately or in combination with electric pulses of high voltage to subcutaneous rat brain tumours. The treatment was repeated on four consecutive days and evaluated by TGD and microscopical examination. The tumours were stained for Factor VlII/von Willebrand Factor to investigate the effects on the tumour vasculature.
Results:
Radiation and electric pulses applied concomitantly resulted in a cure rate of 67% (tumour free >80 days after treatment). Radiation-treated animals showed progressive disease. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of electric impulse-treated tumours showed instant and severe deteriorating effects on tumour vasculature.
Conclusion:
A distinct antitumour effect of the combined treatment of electric pulses and radiation treatment was observed. We believe that the tumouricidal effect arises from destruction of the tumour vasculature but also from DNA related damage from reactive oxygen formed by the electric pulses and the radiation treatment.