Weekly Paclitaxel Combined with Local Hyperthermia in the Therapy of Breast Cancer Locally Recurrent after Mastectomy – a Pilot Experience

Abstract

Background: The combination of chemotherapy and hyperthermia (HT) is a promising approach in the treatment of malignant tumors. In the present report we evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of weekly paclitaxel combined with local hyperthermia in breast cancer. Patients and Methods: 7 patients were treated for inoperable local recurrence of breast cancer after mastectomy, irradiation, and chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. They weekly received paclitaxel (60–80 mg/m²) in 3-h infusions followed by local HT 41–44 °C for 45 min for 6–18 cycles. Results: Objective local response was observed in all treated patients (complete response in 4 patients and partial response in 3 patients). There were no grade 3 or 4 toxicities, neurologic toxicity or hypersensitivity reactions. Local tolerance to this regimen was also good, with only 4 patients developing mild transient erythema. Conclusion: Our experience indicates that the combination of weekly paclitaxel and HT may be effective in the treatment of locally recurrent breast cancer after mastectomy.

Sub-lethal hyperthermia promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transition of breast cancer cells: implication of the synergy between hyperthermia and chemotherapy

“…Considering that the local hyperthermia treatment in generally conducted for 20-60 min at the temperature between 40-45 C, we can estimate that the cells are exposed to the hyperthermal stress at the desired temperature for at least 25 min. [15][16][17] Viability of both cell lines decreased as the exposure temperature increased (Fig. 1A).…”

Enhancement of osteosarcoma cell sensitivity to cisplatin using paclitaxel in the presence of hyperthermia

“…Additionally, most scholars believe that paclitaxel is enhanced by thermotherapy [13][14][15]. Nonetheless, Mohamed reported that docetaxel cytotoxicity was increased at a high temperature and that paclitaxel cytotoxicity was not enhanced by hyperthermia [16].…”

Induction of Apoptosis by a Combination of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in the Presence of Hyperthermia

“…As for paclitaxel, Many scholars hold positive views on the enhancement effect of paclitaxel in thermotherapy (Zoul et al, 2004;Michalakis et al, 2007;Liu et al, 2008), However, there are also contrary opinion, Mohamed reported that docetaxel cytotoxicity was enhanced by hyperthermia, however paclitaxel was not enhanced by hyperthermia (Mohamed et al, 2003).…”