Enhanced antitumor effects of bleomycin and moderate hyperthermia by additional use of ethanol.

The combined effects of moderate local hyperthermia, bleomycin and ethanol were investigated with Lewis lung carcinoma tumors in female C57BL/6 mice. Different combinations of treatments were performed on days 4 and 7 after tumor implantation. Combined treatment of 41 degrees C hyperthermia and bleomycin resulted in mild reductions of tumor growth. Hyperthermia plus bleomycin led to marked reduction in tumor growth under the condition of a 43 degrees C temperature. The antitumor effects of 41 degrees C hyperthermia combined with bleomycin were enhanced by the additional use of ethanol, and these effects were more remarkable than those of 43 degrees C hyperthermia and bleomycin. A possible application of these findings to clinical therapy for advanced esophageal cancer was discussed.