Heat shock proteins function as protein-repairing enzymes for the recovery of stress-damaged cells and defense of cells against many kinds of stress. Therefore, the effects of heat shock protein are expected to play a part in the improvement and recovery of the ability to compete in sports. In the present study, we examined whether whole body hyperthermia at 40°C-42°C for 40 minutes can induce heat shock protein Hsp70 safely and efficiently in human lymphocytes isolated from venous blood in vivo. In addition, to reduce a load of the hyperthermia, we examined the effect of teprenone on the induction of heat shock proteins by hyperthermia of half period.
The relative amount of Hsp70 increased by 2.6-fold (p = 0.051) at 48 h and 2.1-fold (p < 0.05) at 96 h after hyperthermia alone. No significant increase in the relative amount of Hsp70 was observed after the administration of teprenone (600 mg) followed by hyperthermia of half period. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of the administration of teprenone on the induction of heat shock proteins by hyperthermia of half period.

View full abstract

Purpose : Over the past 20 years we have developed techniques and clinical experience of radio frequency (RF) interstitial hyperthermia. This technique is particularly applicable in the treatment of unresectable tumors and in the management of elderly patients with malignant brain tumors. In this report, we introduce stereotactic intratumoral implantation of electrodes (RF antennas) for interstitial hyperthermia and we also present the achievement and complication rate. Our objective was to assess the feasibility of the stereotactic implantation technique for brain hyperthermia.
Methods : A total of 144 procedures (108 for gliomas, 24 for metastatic tumors, 5 for malignant lymphomas, 5 for meningiomas, and 2 for other tumors) have been performed to treat 125 patients with hyperthermia for brain tumor. RF antennas and catheters for thermistor probes were inserted into the tumor using a stereotactic apparatus under local anesthesia. We confirmed the electrode position in the tumor and complications such as hemorrhage in postoperative craniogram and brain computed tomography (CT).
Results : The numbers of RF antenna insertions were one in each of 85 cases, two in 43 cases, three in 2 cases, four in 12 cases, five in 1 case, and six in 1 case. Surgical insertion of RF antennas was achieved successfully in 138 of 144 procedures (95.8%). In six of these patients, intratumoral hemorrhage was observed after surgery in 3 patients, one patient had liquorrhea, and antennas were misimplanted in another 2 patients. Incompletion rate was 4.2%.
Conclusion : Stereotactic implantation of RF antennas was a safe and effective technique for interstitial hyperthermic treatment of brain tumors.

View full abstract

Hyperthermia with far-infrared rays has recently attracted attention as a cancer treatment method with immunopotentiation effects. This hyperthermia has characteristics of complementary and alternative medicine, and is a new field for the treatment of pathological conditions and disorders that can not be resolved by western medicine alone. We previously suggested that far-infrared hyperthermia becomes a stressor that activates self-defense function, affecting the T-cell content ratio in immunocytes and cytokine production, and tends to recover fatigue of the body based on hematological and serum biochemical findings. In this study, the effects of far-infrared hyperthermia were evaluated in terms of psychological changes using the Profile of Mood State (POMS) in subjects with poor physical conditions such as shoulder stiffness, insomnia, and chilliness. After hyperthermia, the POMS score significantly decreased for “Depression-Dejection”, “Anger-Hostility”, and “Fatigue” and slightly decreased for “Tension-Anxiety” and “Confusion”, showing psychological improvement.
These results suggest that far-infrared hyperthermia psychologically recovers fatigue and has emotional sedative effects, supporting physiological data.

View full abstract

The interstitial microwave hyperthermia is a treatment applied to a localized tumor. In the treatment, some thin microwave antennas are inserted into the tumor. Up to now, the authors have been studying the coaxial-slot antenna as one of the thin microwave antennas to apply to such a treatment. This paper describes the effectiveness of the coaxial-slot antenna and the array applicators composed of two or four coaxial-slot antennas through clinical trials. As a result of treatments, we could confirm the effectiveness of the coaxial-slot antennas.

View full abstract