Regional hyperthermia in high-risk soft tissue sarcomas.

On the basis of the definition of high-risk soft tissue sarcomas and prognostic factors, the most recent developments of preoperative treatment strategies with special emphasis on regional hyperthermia combined chemotherapy are reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS: The most important prognostic factors (e.g. size, grade, depth and resection margins) for localized soft tissue sarcomas have been defined to predict the probability of sarcoma-specific death providing a useful tool for patient stratification and clinical trial eligibility determination that are also relevant in the outcome of paediatric patients with adult type soft tissue sarcomas. Clinical research on innovative preoperative treatment strategies has essentially focused on the combination of preoperative radiochemotherapy or chemotherapy alone, but unfortunately the reported results are based upon retrospective analysis or nonrandomized phase II studies with small sample size. For the use of regional hyperthermia (RHT) therapy, phase II studies have advocated a possible benefit of the use of regional hyperthermia in combination with chemotherapy targeting the heating field to the region of tumour burden. The preliminary results of a completed European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-European Society of Hyperthermic Oncology intergroup randomized phase III trial for the most common types of adult high-risk soft tissue sarcomas demonstrate a significant benefit in the clinical outcome of patients receiving regional hyperthermia therapy. SUMMARY: Regional hyperthermia combined with preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy offers a new appropriate treatment option for high-risk soft tissue sarcomas

Hyperthermia adds to chemotherapy.

The hallmarks of hyperthermia and its pleotropic effects are in favour of its combined use with chemotherapy. Preclinical research reveals that for heat killing and synergistic effects the thermal dose is most critical. Thermal enhancement of drug cytotoxicity is accompanied by cellular death and necrosis without increasing its oncogenic potential. The induction of genetically defined stress responses can deliver danger signals to activate the host's immune system. The positive results of randomised trials have definitely established hyperthermia in combination with chemotherapy as a novel clinical modality for the treatment of cancer. Hyperthermia targets the action of chemotherapy within the heated tumour region without affecting systemic toxicity. In specific clinical settings regional hyperthermia (RHT) or hyperthermic perfusion has proved its value and deserve a greater focus and investigation in other malignancies. In Europe, more specialised centres should be created and maintained as network of excellence for hyperthermia in the field of oncology