Abstract
The influence of regional liver hyperthermia in conjunction with systemic doxorubicin administration was examined in a rabbit VX2 tumour model. Hyperthermia was delivered by 2450MHz microwave generator to the exteriorised livers of the rabbits to provide a thermal dose equivalent of 43°C for 30 minutes. Animals receiving doxorubicin infusion were treated with a total of 1.2mg/kg over a 3 day protocol through an ear vein. Rabbits were divided into 4 groups; a no treatment control, hyperthermia alone, doxorubicin alone and hyperthermia immediately preceded by doxorubicin. The tumour mass, 10 days post treatment was significantly (P<0.0001) reduced in all treatment groups. However, the mean tumour mass in the combination treatment group was also significantly lower than both treatments alone (P<0.001). This increased response was not accompanied by any signs of increased systemic or local toxicity associated with any treatment.
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