Local Hyperthermia Effect On Breast Tumor Metabolism

In this study, the biological effects of long-term local hyperthermiatreatment on tumor metabolism and growth have been investigated using4T1murine mammary carcinoma, a common model of metastatic breastcancer. Periodic thermal treatments (at39oC,12hours per day) wereapplied to mice bearing tumors for3days,7days,14days, and21days,respectively. The tumor weight in the thermal treatment groups was foundsignificantly lighter than that in control groups, especially in first twoweeks. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer coupled with statisticalanalysis was performed to identify the alteration of tumor metabolites.The results showed that there was an obvious accumulation of long chainfatty acids and acyl glycerols in tumor tissues of the thermal treatmentgroups in the first two weeks compared with that of the control groups,and decreased in the third week. These results indicated that theaccumulation of long chain fatty acids and acyl glycerols played animportant role in providing substance and energy for tumor re-growth.These observations suggested that the blockade of long chain fatty acidsynthesis during mild hyperthermia treatment of tumors could improvethe long-term hyperthermia treatment effect by limiting the supply of substance and energy for tumor re-growth.