The image on the left shows the tumors at the beginning of the study. The image on the right shows no indication of active tumors as a result of the patient’s six cycles of therapy.
Evidence from the Phase 1 clinical trial of ovarian cancer supports the claim that whole-body hyperthermia, as delivered during HEATT®, compromises the cell structure of tumors and metastasized cells, resulting in a reduction of tumors. Exposure to high temperatures for a specified period of time induces necrosis (the direct kill via cell membrane destruction), as well as setting the stage for apoptosis (longer natural destruction of cells over time). In the pre-and post-HEATT® therapy PET scans of Patient #3, one can see the clear reduction of the tumors as a result of the cellular destruction induced by heat.
In addition to the evidence seen in pre- and post-imaging, the monitoring of tumor marker, CA-125, in patients is another indicator of the destruction of tumor cells. Most patients showed a cyclic response to HEATT® with an immediate increase in CA-125, followed by a near return to baseline before the next HEATT® cycle. From cell culture studies, this can be interpreted to imply cancer cell killing [1].
[1] Csoboz B, Balogh GE, Kusz E, Gombos I, Peter M, Crul T, et al. Membrane fluidity matters: Hyperthermia from the aspects of lipids and membranes. Int J Hyperthermia. 2013 Aug; 29(5):491–499. [PubMed: 23841917].