The effect of angiotensin II on blood flow in tumours during localized hyperthermia

The selective enhancement of drug delivery to tumours is an important factor in the effectiveness of thermochemotherapy as well as in standard normothermal chemotherapy. We have attempted to clarify experimentally using AH 100B tumour-bearing rats whether or not a selective increase in blood flow in tumours can be produced under specific conditions of local hyperthermia by administration of angiotensin (AGT II). AGT II (2 micrograms/kg/min) produced an elevation of blood pressure (ca. 150 mm Hg) when local hyperthermia, at 41, 43, and 45 degrees C, was induced. Furthermore, at 41 and 43 degrees C a selective increase in blood flow in tumours resulted from the AGT II-induced hypertension. By contrast, a decrease in blood flow was observed at 45 degrees C both in tumour and in muscle. These results indicate that AGT II-induced hypertension and the resultant selective increase in drug delivery to tumours during the initial phase of heating may result in an augmentation of the anticancer effects of thermochemotherapy.