Whole-body hyperthermia in combination with systemic therapy in advanced solid malignancies

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Thermotherapy
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) is explored as an adjunct to systemic therapy for metastatic solid tumors.
• Chemotherapy combined with WBH has been investigated in early-phase clinical trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize findings from Phase I/II studies evaluating WBH combined with chemotherapy.
• To assess the efficacy, toxicity, and potential role of WBH in treating metastatic malignancies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of 13-14 Phase I/II clinical studies.
• Analysis of treatment regimens, patient populations, response rates, and toxicities.
• Focus on studies using radiant heating to achieve thermal doses around 41.8°C for 1 hour.

Main Results:

• Significant heterogeneity observed in treatment protocols, patient selection, and response rates (12-89%).
• Ovarian cancer, colorectal adenocarcinoma, lung cancer, and sarcoma were most frequently studied.
• Myelosuppression was the most common grade 3/4 toxicity; treatment-related mortality occurred in 4 patients across 3 studies.

Conclusions:

• The additive value of WBH remains speculative due to a lack of Phase III trials.
• High heterogeneity and significant toxicities suggest WBH is unlikely to become a standard clinical practice.
• Modern oncology offers less invasive alternatives, further limiting WBH's future role.