Publications [#63280] of Mark W. Dewhirst

Papers Published

1. Thrall, D.E. and Larue, S.M. and Powers, B.E. and Page, R.L. and Johnson, J. and George, S.L. and Kornegay, J.N. and McEntee, M.C. and Levesque, D.C. and Smith, M. and Case, B.C. and Dewhirst, M.W. and Gillette, E.L., Use of whole body hyperthermia as a method to heat inaccessible tumours uniformly: a phase III trial in canine brain masses, Int. J. Hyperth. (UK), vol. 15 no. 5 , pp. 383 - 98 [026567399285576]
   (last updated on 2007/04/14)

   Abstract:
   In this study, whole body hyperthermia (WBH) was assessed as a means of heating intracranial tumours uniformly. Twenty-five dogs received radiation therapy and 20 the combination of radiation and WBH. Total radiation dose was randomly assigned and was either 44, 48, 52, 56 or 60 Gy. Because of WBH toxicity, intercurrent disease or tumour progression, 7 of the 45 dogs received less than the prescribed radiation dose. For WBH, the target rectal temperature was 42°C for 2 h and 3 treatments were planned. In 5 of the 20 dogs randomized to receive WBH, only one WBH treatment was given because of toxicity. WBH toxicity was severe in 6 dogs, and resulted in death or interruption in treatment. Most tumours did not undergo a complete response, making it impossible to differentiate tumour recurrence from brain necrosis as a cause of progressive neuropathy. Therefore, survival was the major study endpoint. There was no survival difference between groups. One-year survival probability (95% CI) for dogs receiving radiation therapy alone was 0.44 (0.25, 0.63) versus 0.40 (0.19, 0.63) for dogs receiving radiation and WBH. There was no difference in the incidence of brain necrosis in the 2 treatment groups. Results suggest that use of WBH alone to increase the temperature of intracranial tumours as a means to improve radiation therapy outcome is not a successful strategy

   Keywords:
   brain;hyperthermia;tumours;