The Rationale for "Laser-Induced Thermal Therapy (LITT) and Intratumoral Cisplatin" Approach for Cancer Treatment

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Photodynamic Therapy

Background:

• Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapy drug for solid tumors, germ cell tumors, sarcomas, and lymphomas.
• Hyperthermia and light significantly enhance cisplatin's anticancer activity and overcome drug resistance.
• Recent advancements explore high-energy particle accelerators for photoactivating platinum-based drugs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanistic rationale behind combined intratumoral cisplatin and laser-induced thermal therapy (CDDP-LITT).
• To discuss the clinical applications of CDDP-LITT as a minimally invasive cancer treatment.
• To highlight the development of photoactivatable platinum-based prodrugs for improved cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing research on cisplatin, hyperthermia, and light-based cancer therapies.
• Exploration of Auger electron cascade induction in cis-platinum molecules using particle accelerators.
• Development and application of infrared photo-thermal activation of cisplatin.

Main Results:

• Both heat and light activate cisplatin, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis.
• Combined CDDP-LITT demonstrates enhanced tumoricidal efficacy and overcomes drug resistance.
• Infrared photo-thermal activation of cisplatin has been developed from bench to bedside over 27 years.

Conclusions:

• CDDP-LITT offers a promising, minimally invasive treatment strategy for various cancers.
• Future photoactivatable platinum-based prodrugs promise increased selectivity, reduced toxicity, and enhanced efficacy.
• This approach is particularly relevant for tumors accessible via laser-based fiber-optic devices, such as head and neck cancers.