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D B Leeper

Publications and source records attributed to D B Leeper.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Non-invasive magnetic resonance thermometry using thulium-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate (TmDOTA(-)).

Non-invasive thermometry is pivotal to the future advances of regional hyperthermia as a cancer treatment modality. Current magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry methods suffer from poor thermal resolution due to relatively weak dependence of chemical shift of the (1)H water signal on temperature. This study evaluated the feasibility of using thulium-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate (TmDOTA(-)) for MR thermometry. TmDOTA(-) is non-toxic and the gadolinium complex of DOTA(4-) is widely used as a MR contrast agent. The results demonstrate that the temperature dependence of the TmDOTA(-) proton shifts are about two orders of magnitudes higher than the water proton and, thus, provide excellent accuracy and resolution. In addition, TmDOTA(-) proton shifts are insensitive to the paramagnetic complex concentration, pH, Ca(2+) or presence of plasma macromolecules and ions. Because hyperthermia is known to produce changes in tissue pH and other physiological parameters, these properties of TmDOTA(-) greatly simplify the procedures for using the lanthanide complex for MR thermometry. Application of TmDOTA(-) for measurement of temperature in a subcutaneously implanted human melanoma xenograft is demonstrated. Finally, the feasibility of imaging one of the (1)H resonances of the lanthanide complex is demonstrated in phantom experiments. Overall, TmDOTA(-) appears to be a promising probe for MR thermometry in vivo.

Animals↗

Acute extracellular acidification increases nuclear associated protein levels in human melanoma cells during 42 degrees C hyperthermia and enhances cell killing.

Acute acidification is being investigated as a strategy to sensitize human melanoma to 42 degrees C hyperthermia. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of hyperthermia and acute extracellular acidification on the nuclear associated protein (NAP) levels, heat shock protein (hsp) 70 and hsp27 content, and cell survival of human melanoma cells cultured at pH 7.3 or pH 6.7. It was observed that NAP levels increased slightly in both populations after 2 h of heating and then decreased to control levels with increasing time of heating at the growth pH. However, the NAP levels continued to increase in cells acutely acidified to pH 6.3 prior to and during heating. Hsp70 was induced to comparable levels in cells heated at their growth pH; however, the hsp27 levels were greater in cells cultured and heated at pH 6.7 than in cells cultured and heated at pH 7.3. Acute acidification to pH 6.3 prior to and during heating suppressed the 42 degrees C induction of hsp70 and hsp27 in both cell populations. The melanoma cells cultured and heated at pH 6.7 were more resistant to cell killing than cells cultured and heated at pH 7.3. Both populations were sensitized to cell killing by acute acidification to pH 6.3. The results suggest that hsps induced during 42 degrees C treatment associate with aggregating NAPs, enhancing their detergent solubility, and that abrogation of induced expression of hsps during heating at pH 6.3 contributes to increased levels of insoluble NAPS. In conclusion, acute extracellular acidification inhibits 42 degrees C induction of hsps, increases NAP levels, and decreases cell survival in DB-1 human melanoma cells.

Blotting, Western↗

Quercetin sensitizes cells in a tumour-like low pH environment to hyperthermia.

Quercetin has been shown to act as a hyperthermia sensitizer by inhibiting the synthesis of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in a variety of tumour cell lines. It is most effective under conditions of low pH. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that quercetin suppresses thermotolerance development in cells adapted to growth at low pH and renders them as responsive as acutely acidified cells to hyperthermia-induced cytotoxicity. Chinese hamster ovarian carcinoma cells (OvCa) were exposed to 42 degrees C hyperthermia and/or quercetin (50-200 mm) at their growth pH of either 7.3 or 6.7 or after acute acidification from 7.3 to 6.7. Thermotolerance development was measured by colony survival. HSP70 synthesis and total protein synthesis were measured by radioactive precursor pulse labelling techniques. Quercetin, in a concentration-dependent manner, reduced the rate of total protein synthesis and increased cytotoxicity equally after acute acidification to pH 6.7 or growth at pH 6.7 at 37 degrees C, and to a greater extent than it did in cells at pH 7.3. At 42 degrees C, 100 mm quercetin inhibited total protein synthesis, HSP70 synthesis and thermotolerance development to a similar extent in cells grown at pH 6.7 or acutely acidified to pH 6.7. In contrast, quercetin reduced but did not completely inhibit HSP70 synthesis and thermotolerance development in cells grown and heated at pH 7.3. These results support the hypothesis that quercetin can specifically reduce thermotolerance development in tumour cells adapted to growth at pHe 6.7 so that they respond similarly to acutely acidified cells. Since many tumours are adapted to growth at low pH and may resist a wide variety of therapeutic modalities, inhibition of thermotolerance expression by quercetin may not only enhance the response to hyperthermia but the response to commonly used therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation.

Acids↗

Influence of limb restraint on the thermal response of bone marrow CFU-GM heated in situ.

The method used to restrain anaesthetized (sodium pentobarbital) mice for in situ heating of tibial marrow affects the survival response of CFU-GM. Three methods of limb restraint, in addition to ischaemia induced by tourniquet, were examined for their relative effect on the thermal response of CFU-GM. The three methods of restraint were to secure only the toes with suture material to a submersion post in the water bath, to tape the foot, or to tape the leg. Temperatures in the lumen of the tibia were measured with a 100 micron (tip diameter) microthermocouple during representative experimental conditions. After heating in situ, bone marrow was extruded and CFU-GM cultured in standard soft agar conditions in lung-conditioned medium. The most restrictive restraining method, i.e. taping the leg, produced the greatest thermal response among the three restraining methods examined. The D0 (+/- 95% CI) of the 42 degrees C survival curve for CFU-GM was 22 +/- 4, 46 +/- 8, or 94 +/- 53 min for restraint of leg, foot, or toes, respectively. Survival reached a plateau by 100 min of heating indicative of the development of thermotolerance. The D0 of the 44 degrees C survival curve was 3 +/- 1, 6 +/- 2 and 16 +/- 6 min for restraint of leg, foot, or toes respectively. Ischaemia produced the most pronounced effect on the thermal response of tibial CFU-GM with D0 values of 2 +/- 1 or 3.6 +/- 1.5 min after exposure to 44 degrees C or 42 degrees C, respectively. The method of limb restraint affects the thermal sensitivity of CFU-GM most probably by blood flow obstruction and resultant pH decrease. Thus, precautions must be taken to ensure that limb restriction does not introduce artifacts in the hyperthermia response of normal tissues or tumours during heating in situ.

Animals↗

Optimization of hyperthermia with CT scanning.

In a prospective study CT scanning was used to evaluate the precision of thermometry catheter placement in tumours in the head and neck or on the chest wall in 30 consecutive patients prior to hyperthermia treatment. Patients had variable-sized tumours from several primary sites. Thermometry catheter placement was guided by palpation with or without a prior CT scan. Catheter placement was confirmed by CT. All lesions were less than 8 x 8 x 6 cm (L x W x D) in size. A mean of 4.2 +/- 0.2 (+/- 1 SEM, range 2-7) closed-end polyurethane catheters were inserted orthogonally by the same experienced radiation oncologist. Horizontal thermometry catheters were intended to traverse the centre and base of the tumour mass, and a vertical catheter was often inserted to intersect a horizontal catheter. After catheter placement, wire cables with 1 cm spacings were inserted into the catheters and positions determined using orthogonal films and CT scans. The success of catheter placement was judged on the following criteria: (1) catheter distribution factor (CDF = proportion of tumour CT slices transected by at least one catheter); (2) catheter hit ratio (CHR = average number of catheters in tumour per CT slice); (3) catheter miss factor (CMF = average number of catheters out of tumour per CT slice); (4) catheter placement index, CPI = [(CHR)(CDF)]-CMF; and (5) distance of nearest catheter from the visually estimated centre of tumour in the most central tumour CT scan. In the first seven lesions with 3-6 cm depth catheter insertion was guided by palpation only. In the next 23 lesions catheter insertion was guided by a prior CT scan. In the latter group, 15 lesions had depth 3-6 cm while eight lesions had depth < or = 3 cm. Catheter placement by palpation only, without the benefit of CT scan, was much less accurate in terms of the nearest catheter to the centre of the tumour (p = .001), the proportion of CT slices with catheter in tumour (CDF, p = 0.04) and the probability of a catheter being outside the tumour (CMF, p = 0.01). The catheter placement index (CPI) was a good measure of the accuracy and adequacy of catheter placement in large tumours (p = 0.04). Displacement of normal tissue structures by tumour precluded accurate catheter placement and led to a low CPI. It was difficult to accurately instrument lesions < or = 3 cm depth even with the benefit of a prior CT scan.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Catheterization↗

Intrinsic thermal response, thermotolerance development and stepdown heating in murine bone marrow progenitor cells.

Thermal response, thermotolerance development and stepdown heating (SDH) in the murine bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitors were determined in vitro. Marrow was removed from femora and tibia, heated in McCoy's 5A medium plus 15% FBS and cultured in soft agar in the presence of three different sources of colony stimulating factor. D0's (+/- SE) for survival curves of CFU-GM heated in vitro were 147 +/- 13, 71 +/- 9, 37 +/- 2, 19 +/- 0.7, 11 +/- 1, and 4.3 +/- 0.3 min, for temperatures of 41.8, 42, 42.3, 42.5, 43 and 44 degrees C, respectively. Arrhenius analysis showed inactivation enthalpies of 812 +/- 9 KJoules/mole (193 +/- 2 Kcal/mole) above, and 2142 +/- 157 KJoules/mole (509 +/- 37 Kcal/mole) below, an inflection at 42.5 degrees C. Thermotolerance development was evident during prolonged hyperthermia exposure at temperatures below 42.5 degrees C (chronic hyperthermia) as a change in the slope of the survival curves after approximately 110 min of heating. Thermotolerance development at 37 degrees C after exposure to temperatures of 43 degrees C or greater (acute hyperthermia) was assessed by fractionated heat treatments consisting of an initial heat treatment (15 min at 44 degrees C) followed by incubation at 37 degrees C and challenge with 15 min or 25 min at 44 degrees C. Maximum thermotolerance occurred after 210 and 330 min at 37 degrees C, respectively. The half-time for maximum thermotolerance development was 36 min. Depending on the amount of heat damage and the maximum amount of thermotolerance development, the decay of thermotolerance was complete after approximately 48-72 h at 37 degrees C. An exposure of 10 min at 44 degrees C before incubation at 40 or 41 degrees C (stepdown heating) reduced the slope of the 40 or 41 degrees C survival curves by inhibiting thermotolerance development that would have otherwise occurred. D0's were 100 +/- 19 and 45 +/- 5 min for 40 and 41 degrees C incubation preceded by 10 min at 44 degrees C, respectively. These studies indicate that whole-body or regional hyperthermia protocols designed either to treat solid tumours or to purge leukemic stem cells from marrow ex vivo should avoid inadvertent temperature elevations to large volumes of marrow. Although, marrow progenitors are capable of thermotolerance development during exposure to temperatures up to 42.3 degrees C, results suggest that conditions of stepdown heating may prevent thermotolerance development.

Animals↗

Randomized trial of one versus two adjuvant hyperthermia treatments per week in patients with superficial tumours.

One test for thermotolerance development in a clinical situation is to evaluate the effects of altering the hyperthermia fractionation interval on tumour response to thermoradiotherapy. Between 1983 and 1990 44 evaluable advanced superficial tumours of miscellaneous origin in 41 patients were randomized to receive either once-weekly or twice-weekly external microwave hyperthermia treatments combined with radiation therapy. The mean age of patients was 62 years, and 85% had failed previous therapy. All lesions were less than 8 x 8 x 4 cm (L x W x D) and were heated by external 915 MHz microwaves. The mean radiation dose was 44 +/- 3 Gy (mean +/- SE) in the once-weekly group and 46 +/- 3 Gy in the twice-weekly group (p = 0.64). The mean volume of the lesions heated once weekly was 17 +/- 6 versus 23 +/- 5 cm3 for those heated twice weekly (p = 0.45). Hyperthermia was administered once weekly for 4.6 +/- 0.2 sessions (range 3-7) or twice weekly for 8.1 +/- 0.3 sessions (range 4-10). Thermometry was performed using 3.4 +/- 0.2 catheters and 5.1 +/- 0.6 thermal sensors per tumour in the once-weekly group, and 2.7 +/- 0.2 catheters and 5.8 +/- 0.3 thermal sensors per tumour in the twice-weekly group. Of the 44 evaluable randomized lesions a complete response (CR) at 2 months post-treatment was observed in 59% (13/22) heated once weekly and 55% (12/22) in those heated twice weekly. The prognostic factors predictive of tumour complete response were found by logistic regression analysis to be radiation dose and tumour volume, while the prognostic factors predictive of duration of response (Cox proportional hazards analysis) were median minimum tumour temperature (Tmin), minimum tumour temperature during the first heat treatment (Tmin1) and tumour volume. The duration of local control in lesions with Tmin < or = 39.5 degrees C was 11.7 +/- 1.9 months while for lesions with Tmin > 39.5 degrees C it was 23.0 +/- 4.2 months (p = 0.01). The ED50 was calculated by logistic regression to be 40 Gy (95% CI = 22-54 Gy) for once- and twice-weekly heated lesions. There was not a significant difference in tumour response or duration of response between populations randomized to receive once- versus twice-weekly hyperthermia treatments. There was also no difference in skin reaction rates between once- and twice-weekly hyperthermia treatments, nor could a correlation be found between any thermal parameter and skin reactions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Thermoradiotherapy with combined interstitial and external hyperthermia in advanced tumours in the head and neck with depth > or = 3 cm.

Advanced tumours in the head and neck 3-6 cm depth are too deep to be completely heated by external 915 MHz microwaves. A preliminary study was performed using interstitial plus external hyperthermia combined with external beam radiation therapy to heat tumours to depths > or = 3 cm. Nine advanced metastatic lesions of squamous cell carcinoma located in the head and neck were treated between 1987 and 1990 with the combined hyperthermia technique and radiation doses of 38-60 Gy (mean of 49 +/- 3 Gy). The mean tumour volume was 58 +/- 9 (SE) cm3 (range 24-94 cm3) with a mean tumour depth of 3.9 +/- 0.3 cm (range 3-5.5 cm). The deeper aspects of the tumour were heated by interstitial 915 MHz microwave antennas and the superficial aspects heated by external 915 MHz applicators. A single plane of polyurethane closed-end catheters, 16 Ga, were inserted under local anaesthesia approximately 1.5-2 cm apart in parallel arrays at the base of a lesion behind the sternomastoid muscle, or an equivalent site in a dissected neck, extending forward and angled deeply no more than 15 degrees. Hyperthermia was administered twice weekly immediately after radiation therapy in a mean of 5.3 +/- 0.7 external heat sessions (range 3-7) and a mean of 3.5 +/- 0.6 interstitial heat sessions (range of 1-6). Interstitial hyperthermia was usually administered in alternating sessions with external hyperthermia, but in some patients all of the sessions of one modality were administered followed by all of the sessions of the other modality. In no case were both interstitial and external heatings performed on the same day. Surface thermometers were used to monitor skin temperature during external hyperthermia sessions. Results showed that by 8 weeks after completion of treatment, six lesions exhibited a complete response (67%) and three a partial response (33%). One of the partial responses continued to regress and became a complete response (78% complete response). The recurrence rate in complete responders was 14% (1/7) with time to recurrence of 7.7 months. Six lesions were recurrence-free at last follow-up of 21.3 +/- 8.8 months. Skin reactions were absent in four fields (44%), erythema was noted in five (56%) and thermal blistering in one (11%). Ulceration occurred only in association with tumour breakdown when the skin was infiltrated by tumour (three patients, 33%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗

Thermoradiotherapy for superficial tumour deposits in the head and neck.

Tumour deposits in the head and neck region were treated with hyperthermia using 915 MHz external microwave applicators and radiation therapy between 1986 and 1990. The mean (+/- SE) radiation dose was 47 +/- 2 Gy (range 21-77 Gy). All but four patients had failed previous therapy. Mean tumour volume was 40 +/- 10 cm3 (range 0.3-276 cm3). Hyperthermia was administered biweekly in 80% of the patients in 6.0 +/- 0.4 sessions (range 1-10); thermometry involved 3.6 +/- 0.4 catheters (range 1-9) and 5.7 +/- 0.4 sensors (range 1-12) per tumour. Of the 50 lesions evaluable for response, 29 had a complete response (58%), and 20 had a partial response (40%). Lesions were stratified by depth. In tumours considered potentially heatable (i.e. depth < or = 3 cm and lateral dimensions at least 2 cm less than boundary of applicator), the complete response rate was 81% (26/32, 47 +/- 2 Gy, 15 +/- 3 cm3); whereas for patients with tumours deeper than 3 cm, the complete response rate was 17% (3/18, 48 +/- 3 Gy, 110 +/- 21 cm3), p = 0.0001. Among lesions < or = 3 cm depth that exhibited a complete response, six recurred (24%, 5.8 +/- 1.8 months) while 20 lesions were recurrence free at last follow-up of 11.9 +/- 1.2 months). The overall survival of patients with lesions < or = 3 cm depth was 11.5 +/- 1.3 months (range 2.4-32.3 months) while for patients with lesions > 3 cm depth survival was 6.7 +/- 0.9 months (range 2.1-18.6 months), p = 0.01. In superficial lesions with depth < or = 3 cm, multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the model best correlating with complete response included radiation dose (p = 0.08) and tumour volume (p = 0.08, model p = 0.004). Multivariate proportional hazard analysis indicated that the model best correlating with duration of local control included tumour depth (p = 0.03) and previous radiation therapy (p = 0.08, model p = 0.006). Twenty-two fields were treated without any skin reactions (39%), 23 evidenced erythema (40%) and eight thermal blistering (14%). Ulceration occurred in 11 treatment fields but in all but one of these cases the ulceration may have been due to tumour breakdown as there was direct invasion of the skin by tumour prior to the initiation of treatment. The maximal skin temperature was the best predictor of morbidity although the correlation was not statistically significant (p = 0.19).

Adenocarcinoma↗

Multiple field hyperthermia combined with radiotherapy in advanced carcinoma of the breast.

Extensive recurrences on the chest wall of advanced carcinoma of the breast in 20 patients were treated with multiple field patchwork hyperthermia combined with radiation therapy between 1987-1991. The objective of the study was to evaluate the feasibility, tumour response and complications of treating extensive lesions with multiple, overlapping fields of hyperthermia. All lesions were diffuse encompassing up to 2900 cm2 in area with or without multiple nodules < or = 3 cm deep. All lesions had failed previous therapy with all but three failing previous radiotherapy. Hyperthermia consisted of 282 hyperthermia applicator fields and 357 hyperthermia treatments with external 915 MHz microwaves using commercially available applicators. Hyperthermia applicator fields were defined by the surface 50% SAR distribution of a particular applicator, and hyperthermia fields were abutted to cover the entire tumour bearing area. Radiation therapy consisted of 81 fields to a mean dose of 40 +/- 1 Gy (SE), 88% of fields received between 30 and 50 Gy. The equivalent dose was 42 +/- 1 Gy, based on the linear-quadratic model and alpha/beta = 25 (Fowler 1989). Overlapping hyperthermia fields were separated by an interval of at least three days. Up to four heat sessions per week were required to cover the entire tumour in a rotating fashion. The hyperthermia treatment time was 60 min. Hyperthermia treatments were continued for the duration of radiation therapy. Each hyperthermia applicator field was heated at least once. Patients were exposed to a mean of 14 +/- 3 hyperthermia applicator fields (range of 3-46 fields) and a mean of 18 +/- 3 hyperthermia treatments (range of 6-61) delivered over a mean of 7.5 +/- 0.9 weeks (range of 3-17 weeks). Each field was heated an average of 1.3 times. The tumour complete response rate was 95% with a recurrence rate of 5%. Nevertheless, the mean survival of patients with a complete response was only 10.8 +/- 1.7 months (range of 2-28 months) because of the systemic tumour burden existing outside of the treated fields in these patients. Neither complete response, local control nor survival after thermoradiotherapy correlated with the disease free interval between initial mastectomy and recurrence. There was no evidence of increased thermal damage to skin nor evidence of tumour recurrence at junctions of hyperthermia field overlap. It is concluded that recurrent advanced carcinoma of the breast presenting as extensive, diffuse lesions on the chest wall can be treated as effectively with multiple field patchwork thermoradiotherapy as can nodular lesions treated with single hyperthermia fields.

Adult↗

Extracellular pH distribution in human tumours.

Extracellular pH (pHc) was determined by needle microelectrodes in 67 tumour nodules in 58 patients. The objective was to evaluate the relationship between pHe, tumour histology and tumour volume. The mean age of the patients was 62 years, mean depth of the lesions was 2.7 +/- 0.2 cm, and mean tumour volume was 187 +/- 60 cm3. Lesions were located in readily accessible areas such as on the limbs, neck or chest wall. Tumour histologies included: 48% adenocarcinoma; 34% squamous cell carcinoma; 8% soft tissue sarcoma; and 10% malignant melanoma. The mean tumour pHe for the entire group of tumours was 7.06 +/- 0.05 (range 5.66-7.78). Variation in pHe measurements between tumours was greater than the variation in measurements within tumour (F = 7.11, p < 0.01). In adenocarcinomas pHe was 6.93 +/- 0.08 (range 5.66-7.78), in soft tissue sarcomas 7.01 +/- 0.21 (6.25-7.45), in squamous cell carcinomas 7.16 +/- 0.08 (6.2-7.6), and in malignant melanomas 7.36 +/- 0.1 (6.98-7.77). Tumour pHe was significantly different between the four histological groups (p < 0.001). When adenocarcinoma and soft tissue sarcoma lesions were grouped together, pHe was 6.94 +/- 0.08 compared with 7.20 +/- 0.07 in squamous cell carcinomas and malignant melanomas lesions (p < 0.01). Tumour pHe increased as a function of the logarithm of tumour volume at 0.07 +/- 0.02 pH unit/ln cm3 (p = 0.006, r = 0.34). In conclusion, tumour histology and tumour volume were the most important factors determining the range of pHe's.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Predictive factors for skin reactions in patients treated with thermoradiotherapy.

In this study we performed univariate analyses to analyse the predictive factors for skin reactions, i.e. erythema, thermal blisters and ulceration, that occur during thermoradiotherapy. One hundred and twenty-six fields in 126 patients were treated with thermoradiotherapy using 915 MHz external microwave hyperthermia. Mean age of patients was 62 years. All but 11 lesions received previous therapy. Prior treatment included surgery (75%), chemotherapy (60%) and/or radiation therapy (51%). The mean previous radiation dose was 54 +/- 2 Gy. The concurrent tumour radiation dose was 45 +/- 1 Gy, in 16 fractions, over 35 elapsed days (dose per fraction of 1.6-4.8 Gy). The mean number of heat sessions administered was 5.5 +/- 0.2 (range 1-14). In 83% of cases hyperthermia was administered biweekly. Forty-two patients were treated without any skin reaction (33%), erythema occurred in 59 fields (47%), transient thermal blisters occurred in 25 fields (20%) and ulceration occurred in 23 fields (18%). In 25 cases, two or more skin reactions (20%) were observed concurrently. Concurrent radiation dose correlated with skin reactions (p = 0.02). The incidence of skin reactions was inversely correlated with previous radiation therapy (p = 0.04) and previous radiation therapy dose (p = 0.04) possibly due to fibrosis. None of the tumour or skin thermal parameters correlated with the reaction rate.

Adolescent↗

The development and magnitude of thermotolerance during chronic hyperthermia in murine granulocyte-macrophage progenitors: II.

We have previously reported that murine granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) are capable of developing thermotolerance during chronic hyperthermia at temperatures of 40 to 42 degrees C. However, a differential profile of intrinsic thermal response and, in particular, the capability of developing thermotolerance during chronic heating was identified between CFU-GM and macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-M) stimulated respectively, by lung conditioned medium (LCM) and L929 cell conditioned medium (CCM). Nucleated marrow cells treated in vitro were cultured in McCoy's 5A medium plus 15% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in semisolid agar with 10% of CCM. Two different treatment protocols were used in this study to determine the kinetics of thermotolerance in CFU-M: (1) nucleated marrow from mouse tibia and femur were chronically heated in vitro at temperatures of 40, 41 and 42 degrees C (up to 480 min) or (2) nucleated marrow cells were heated over a period of 90 min stepwise from 37 to 42 degrees C, at a heating rate of 0.056 degrees C/min, before exposure to 42 degrees C. The amount of thermotolerance developed was analysed at various times after chronic incubation at 40-42 degrees C by a challenge with 15 min at 44 degrees C. In contrast to CFU-GM, the surviving fraction of CFU-M heated with 15 min at 44 degrees C did not increase during chronic hyperthermia at 40 degrees C for up to 480 min indicating failure to develop thermotolerance. However, CFU-M were able to develop thermotolerance during prolonged incubation at 41 and 42 degrees C, although to a much less extent than observed in CFU-GM. In other words, there was much less development of thermotolerance in murine CFU-M compared to that in CFU-GM. Furthermore, a slow temperature transit from 37 to 42 degrees C over 90 min before exposure to 42 degrees C induced CFU-M to develop thermotolerance. The thermotolerance ratio (TTR, the ratio of the surviving fraction at maximum tolerance versus normotolerance) increased from a maximum of 3.5 after 180 min at 42 degrees C (no warm-up) to a maximum of 4.1 after 60 min at 42 degrees C when the cells received a slow warm-up to 42 degrees C. This implies that in the murine bone marrow granulocyte/macrophage lineage, CFU-M does not normally develop thermotolerance during hyperthermia and that the colony forming unit-granulocyte (CFU-G) and CFU-GM play a more critical role than CFU-M in the initiation and promotion of thermotolerance during chronic hyperthermia. However, in a situation that simulates the slow heat-up used clinically in wholebody hyperthermia, e.g., the 90 min slow warm-up from 37 to 42 degrees C, stimulated CFU-M to develop greater thermotolerance more rapidly than during rapid heating.

Animals↗

The development and magnitude of thermotolerance during chronic hyperthermia in murine bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage progenitors: I.

Murine bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) are capable of developing thermotolerance during exposure to temperatures < 42.5 degrees C. Bone marrow from the tibia and femora was heated to 40-42 degrees C (i.e. chronic hyperthermia), and challenged immediately with 15 min at 44 degrees C at regular intervals during treatment (step-up heating). CFU-GM were heated and cultured in McCoy's 5A medium + 15% FBS (fetal bovine serum) and lung-conditioned medium (source of colony stimulating factor) in semisolid agar. The kinetics of thermotolerance development and decay, and the magnitude of the thermotolerance during chronic heating with temperatures of 40-41.5 degrees C were similar. Survival increased rapidly to a maxima by approximately 120 min of hyperthermia (temperatures of 40-41.5 degrees C) and thereafter decreased with a slope similar to the controls. Normalization for cell killing by chronic hyperthermia that occurred during "step-up' heating permitted analysis of thermotolerance in the surviving cells. The surviving fraction after 15 min at 44 degrees C, during incubation at 40, 41 and 41.5 degrees C increased from 0.13 to maxima of 0.56 +/- 0.04, 0.71 +/- 0.03 and 0.82 +/- 0.03 respectively, by 150 min and did not decrease for up to 480 min during chronic hyperthermia. The surviving fraction after 15 min at 44 degrees C during incubation at 42 degrees C increased more slowly than during incubations at 40-41.5 degrees C. The survival of thermotolerant cells after exposure to 15 min at 44 degrees C during 42 degrees C chronic hyperthermia was maximal at 0.87 +/- 0.08 by 120 min and then decreased after approximately 150 min of exposure to 42 degrees C. The thermotolerance ratios (TTR's) were 4.0, 5.4, 6.7 and 6.9 for temperatures of 40, 41, 41.5 and 42 degrees C respectively. The results suggest that chronic hyperthermia temperatures (i.e. 40-42 degrees C) induce rapid thermotolerance development in CFU-GM during the thermal exposure and protect this normal marrow progenitor during whole body hyperthermia or ex vivo purging of leukaemic cells.

Animals↗

Mammalian cells adapted to growth at pH 6.7 have elevated HSP27 levels and are resistant to cisplatin.

HSP27 levels are elevated in two Chinese hamster cell lines and in a human melanoma cell line adapted to growth at pH 6.7. The level of HSP72 is elevated in the melanoma cell line but not in the hamster cell lines adapted to growth at pH 6.7. HSC73 levels are not elevated in any of the adapted cell lines. Low pH adapted cells from all cell lines are resistant to cisplatin. It is proposed that elevated HSP27 levels in low pH-adapted cells may play a role in resistance to hyperthermia and resistance to cisplatin.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Bicarbonate-dependent proton extrusion in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells adapted to growth at pH 6.7.

A CHO cell model is described for in vitro studies of the mechanisms underlying heat resistance in cells adapted to growth in acidic environments. Adaptation is defined as a loss of pH 6.7-induced sensitization to 42.0 degrees C cytotoxicity and it is accompanied with an elevation of steady-state intracellular pH (pHi). CHO cells cultured between 75 and 100 days at pH 6.7 became fully adapted (6.7G cells), and the adapted phenotype was maintained for at least 100 additional days of culture at pH 6.7. The surviving fraction (SF) of 6.7G cells heated (42.0 degrees C) at pH 6.7 was comparable with that of cells cultured at pH 7.3 (7.3G cells) and heated at pH 7.3, while the SF of 7.3G cells acutely acidified to pH 6.7 and heated was an order of magnitude less. Although this resistance of 6.7G cells to killing was observed at 42.0 degrees C, it was not observed at 43.0 and 45.0 degrees C. Both 6.7G and 7.3G cells were able to develop comparable levels of thermotolerance during 42.0 degrees C at their growth pHs. However, in agreement with the literature, development of thermotolerance was reduced in acutely acidified 7.3G cells. An acute acidification of only 0.2 pH unit from pH 6.7 to 6.5 also reduced the ability of 6.7G cells to develop thermotolerance during heating at 42.0 degrees C. The acquired 6.7G phenotype reverted to the 7.3G phenotype following 17 days of culture at pH 7.3. Amiloride (0.5 mM), an inhibitor of the Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE), did not sensitize 7.3G and 6.7G cells to 42.0 degrees at their growth pHs. However, sensitization was observed for acutely acidified 7.3G cells. This is consistent with the hypothesis that extracellular acute acidification causes a decrease in pHi, and that the recovery from that decrease is achieved in part by activation of the NHE. An elevation of steady-state pHi, measured by analysing intracellular BCECF excitation spectra, was documented in a suspension assay for cells grown at pH 6.7 for 180 days. The elevation was bicarbonate-dependent (negligible in the absence of HCO3-, +0.17 pH units in the presence of HCO3-). These results suggest that the altered regulation of pHi in CHO cells adapted to pHe 6.7 is maintained by bicarbonate-dependent processes.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Temporal association between alterations in proton extrusion and low pH adaptation.

Cells which have been adapted to growth at low extracellular pH (pHe) typically develop both an upregulation of steady state intracellular pH (pHi) and an ability to develop thermotolerance to 42 degrees C hyperthermia. These properties were acquired at different times, however. Days were required at pHe = 6.70 for two cell lines to adapt to low pHe by the thermotolerance criterion, but both had elevated steady state pHi values after only 4 hours at pHe = 6.70. A better correlation with adaptation to low pHe (as defined by hyperthermia) was found with changes in proton extrusion and the rate of pHi recovery after cytosolic acidification.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Effect of i.v. glucose versus combined i.v. plus oral glucose on human tumour extracellular pH for potential sensitization to thermoradiotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether intravenous or combined intravenous plus oral glucose administration was more effective inducing acute tumour acidification. Seventeen nondiabetic patients at the Henan Tumour Hospital with superficial tumour deposits of various histologies and size were administered, after fasting, either 50 g glucose intravenously (i.v., in 100 ml over 10 min) or 50 g i.v. glucose (in 100 ml over 10 min) combined with 100 g oral glucose (in 200 ml; i.v. + oral). Extracellular tumour pH (pHe) was determined with one or two indwelling needle combination pH microelectrodes. Blood glucose concentration was determined every 15-20 min by finger stick with Chem-Strips and a Glucometer. Ten patients received i.v. glucose, and seven patients received i.v. + oral glucose. Blood glucose rose to 430 +/- 15 mg/dL in both groups. However, the rate of clearance of blood glucose was greater for the i.v. glucose than for the i.v. + oral glucose group (p < 0.00002), and thus the blood glucose levels remained elevated longer after i.v. + oral than after i.v. glucose administration. Relative to the initial fasting blood glucose concentration, blood glucose was -2 +/- 7 mg/dL at 110 min after glucose administration by the i.v. route, whereas, blood glucose relative to initial values was 143 + 23 mg/dL by 110 min after glucose administration by the i.v. + oral route, p = 0.000004. The initial pHe values in the two groups of tumours were similar, 7.34 +/- 0.09 (6.78-7.71) and 7.35 +/- 0.08 (6.99-7.61), respectively. After i.v. glucose, tumour acidification occurred in nine of ten patients (-0.16 + 0.02 pH unit, range -0.24 to -0.05), and after i.v. + oral glucose tumour acidification occurred in six of seven patients (-0.19 +/- 0.07 pH unit, range -0.43 to -0.06). When the initial fasting blood glucose concentration was in excess of 82 mg/dL, all patients (12/12) exhibited tumour acidification during hyperglycaemia, whereas, only 3/5 patients exhibited tumour acidification when the initial blood glucose concentration was less than 82 mg/dL (p = 0.07). The time to maximum decrease in tumour pHe was significantly shorter after i.v. + oral glucose than after i.v. glucose (e.g., 67 +/- 11 versus 102 +/- 8 min, p = 0.02) and correlated with the rate of clearance of blood glucose (p = 0.02, r = 0.55). Larger tumours tended to exhibit a greater decrease in pHe (p = 0.08, r = 0.04). The only side effects of hyperglycaemia were transient nausea and increased urinary output. The effect of hyperglycaemia induced by administration of 200 g oral glucose was similar to i.v. administration in that 83% of tumours exhibited acidification of 0.14 +/- 0.02 pH unit by 91 +/- 7 min. We conclude that i.v. and i.v. + oral glucose administration are equally effective inducing tumour acute acidification, but no more effective than 200 g oral glucose, for investigation of hyperglycemic sensitization to thermoradiotherapy.

Administration, Oral↗