Integrating Loco-Regional Hyperthermia Into the Current Oncology Practice: SWOT and TOWS Analyses

Moderate hyperthermia at temperatures between 40 and 44°C is a multifaceted therapeutic modality. It is a potent radiosensitizer, interacts favorably with a host of chemotherapeutic agents, and, in combination with radiotherapy, enforces immunomodulation akin to “in situ tumor vaccination.” By sensi...

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Main Authors: Niloy R. Datta, H. Petra Kok, Hans Crezee, Udo S. Gaipl, Stephan Bodis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2020.00819/full
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author Niloy R. Datta
H. Petra Kok
Hans Crezee
Udo S. Gaipl
Stephan Bodis
author_facet Niloy R. Datta
H. Petra Kok
Hans Crezee
Udo S. Gaipl
Stephan Bodis
author_sort Niloy R. Datta
collection DOAJ
description Moderate hyperthermia at temperatures between 40 and 44°C is a multifaceted therapeutic modality. It is a potent radiosensitizer, interacts favorably with a host of chemotherapeutic agents, and, in combination with radiotherapy, enforces immunomodulation akin to “in situ tumor vaccination.” By sensitizing hypoxic tumor cells and inhibiting repair of radiotherapy-induced DNA damage, the properties of hyperthermia delivered together with photons might provide a tumor-selective therapeutic advantage analogous to high linear energy transfer (LET) neutrons, but with less normal tissue toxicity. Furthermore, the high LET attributes of hyperthermia thermoradiobiologically are likely to enhance low LET protons; thus, proton thermoradiotherapy would mimic 12C ion therapy. Hyperthermia with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy substantially improves therapeutic outcomes without enhancing normal tissue morbidities, yielding level I evidence reported in several randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses for various tumor sites. Technological advancements in hyperthermia delivery, advancements in hyperthermia treatment planning, online invasive and non-invasive MR-guided thermometry, and adherence to quality assurance guidelines have ensured safe and effective delivery of hyperthermia to the target region. Novel biological modeling permits integration of hyperthermia and radiotherapy treatment plans. Further, hyperthermia along with immune checkpoint inhibitors and DNA damage repair inhibitors could further augment the therapeutic efficacy resulting in synthetic lethality. Additionally, hyperthermia induced by magnetic nanoparticles coupled to selective payloads, namely, tumor-specific radiotheranostics (for both tumor imaging and radionuclide therapy), chemotherapeutic drugs, immunotherapeutic agents, and gene silencing, could provide a comprehensive tumor-specific theranostic modality akin to “magic (nano)bullets.” To get a realistic overview of the strength (S), weakness (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T) of hyperthermia, a SWOT analysis has been undertaken. Additionally, a TOWS analysis categorizes future strategies to facilitate further integration of hyperthermia with the current treatment modalities. These could gainfully accomplish a safe, versatile, and cost-effective enhancement of the existing therapeutic armamentarium to improve outcomes in clinical oncology.
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spelling doaj.art-e3054e43336343dda0f0f1f8cb7dd5c92022-12-22T01:16:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2020-06-011010.3389/fonc.2020.00819538503Integrating Loco-Regional Hyperthermia Into the Current Oncology Practice: SWOT and TOWS AnalysesNiloy R. Datta0H. Petra Kok1Hans Crezee2Udo S. Gaipl3Stephan Bodis4Centre for Radiation Oncology KSA-KSB, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, SwitzerlandDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, GermanyCentre for Radiation Oncology KSA-KSB, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, SwitzerlandModerate hyperthermia at temperatures between 40 and 44°C is a multifaceted therapeutic modality. It is a potent radiosensitizer, interacts favorably with a host of chemotherapeutic agents, and, in combination with radiotherapy, enforces immunomodulation akin to “in situ tumor vaccination.” By sensitizing hypoxic tumor cells and inhibiting repair of radiotherapy-induced DNA damage, the properties of hyperthermia delivered together with photons might provide a tumor-selective therapeutic advantage analogous to high linear energy transfer (LET) neutrons, but with less normal tissue toxicity. Furthermore, the high LET attributes of hyperthermia thermoradiobiologically are likely to enhance low LET protons; thus, proton thermoradiotherapy would mimic 12C ion therapy. Hyperthermia with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy substantially improves therapeutic outcomes without enhancing normal tissue morbidities, yielding level I evidence reported in several randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses for various tumor sites. Technological advancements in hyperthermia delivery, advancements in hyperthermia treatment planning, online invasive and non-invasive MR-guided thermometry, and adherence to quality assurance guidelines have ensured safe and effective delivery of hyperthermia to the target region. Novel biological modeling permits integration of hyperthermia and radiotherapy treatment plans. Further, hyperthermia along with immune checkpoint inhibitors and DNA damage repair inhibitors could further augment the therapeutic efficacy resulting in synthetic lethality. Additionally, hyperthermia induced by magnetic nanoparticles coupled to selective payloads, namely, tumor-specific radiotheranostics (for both tumor imaging and radionuclide therapy), chemotherapeutic drugs, immunotherapeutic agents, and gene silencing, could provide a comprehensive tumor-specific theranostic modality akin to “magic (nano)bullets.” To get a realistic overview of the strength (S), weakness (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T) of hyperthermia, a SWOT analysis has been undertaken. Additionally, a TOWS analysis categorizes future strategies to facilitate further integration of hyperthermia with the current treatment modalities. These could gainfully accomplish a safe, versatile, and cost-effective enhancement of the existing therapeutic armamentarium to improve outcomes in clinical oncology.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2020.00819/fullhyperthermiaradiation therapychemotherapyimmunotherapyradiosensitizerhyperthermia treatment planning
spellingShingle Niloy R. Datta
H. Petra Kok
Hans Crezee
Udo S. Gaipl
Stephan Bodis
Integrating Loco-Regional Hyperthermia Into the Current Oncology Practice: SWOT and TOWS Analyses
Frontiers in Oncology
hyperthermia
radiation therapy
chemotherapy
immunotherapy
radiosensitizer
hyperthermia treatment planning
title Integrating Loco-Regional Hyperthermia Into the Current Oncology Practice: SWOT and TOWS Analyses
title_full Integrating Loco-Regional Hyperthermia Into the Current Oncology Practice: SWOT and TOWS Analyses
title_fullStr Integrating Loco-Regional Hyperthermia Into the Current Oncology Practice: SWOT and TOWS Analyses
title_full_unstemmed Integrating Loco-Regional Hyperthermia Into the Current Oncology Practice: SWOT and TOWS Analyses
title_short Integrating Loco-Regional Hyperthermia Into the Current Oncology Practice: SWOT and TOWS Analyses
title_sort integrating loco regional hyperthermia into the current oncology practice swot and tows analyses
topic hyperthermia
radiation therapy
chemotherapy
immunotherapy
radiosensitizer
hyperthermia treatment planning
url https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2020.00819/full
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