Evaluation of 45 degrees C hyperthermia and irradiation. I. Studies in a murine rhabdomyosarcoma model

This report describes biologic experiments using transplanted RIF-1 tumors (diameter 0.5 or 1 cm) in C3H/He inbred mice (12 to 20 per treatment group) to compare the results with heat alone (43 degrees C for 60 minutes or 45 degrees C for 15 minutes, twice weekly via radiofrequency electrodes), irradiation alone (400 cGy twice weekly for a total of 4,000 cGy with 140 kVp x-rays), or a combination of both therapies. Animals receiving combined treatment had significantly greater complete regression than those treated with either therapy alone. Tumor regrowth curves were equivalent for 43 degrees C or 45 degrees C following irradiation. In tumors 0.5 cm in diameter the overall tumor cure rates were 17% for 43 degrees C for 60 minutes and 25% for 45 degrees C for 15 minutes with heat alone and 8% with irradiation alone; the combination of irradiation and heat at both temperatures yielded comparable complete cure rates (75 and 67%). With 1-cm tumors the corresponding cure rates were 0% with heat alone (either temperature), 5% for irradiation alone, 33% for irradiation and 43 degrees C heat, and 64% for irradiation and 45 degrees C heat (p = .3). Approximately 20% of the animals in the various groups developed moist or dry desquamation in the area treated, whereas 40 to 66% exhibited moist desquamation. There was a slight increase in this sequela (73%) for mice that received irradiation and 45 degrees C compared with 50% in mice treated with 43 degrees C, but the difference was not statistically different (p = .54). Experimental studies demonstrated equivalent efficacy of 10 hyperthermia sessions at 43 degrees C or 45 degrees C combined with irradiation. Caution must be exercised in the clinical application of thermal iso-effect heat dose concepts until further clinical trials have been performed and there is a better understanding of the time-temperature relationship.