Intracellular hyperthermia for cancer using magnetite cationic liposomes: an in vivo study.

The effect of hyperthermia on solid glioma tissue formed subcutaneously in the left femoral region of female F344 rats was investigated. Magnetite cationic liposomes (MCLs), which have a positive surface charge, were used as heating mediators for intracellular hyperthermia. MCLs were injected into the solid tumors, which were then subjected to irradiation by an alternating magnetic field (118 kHz, 384 Oe). The rats were divided into four groups, which received no irradiation (control: group I), or irradiation for 30 min given once (group II), twice (group III) or three times (group IV), and the hyperthermic effect on tumor growth was evaluated. Complete tumor regression was observed in 87.5% of the rats in group IV. In the other groups, tumors completely regressed in 20 and 60% of the rats in groups II and III, respectively. Histological observations showed that in group I tumors, MCLs were localized only around the point where they were injected, while in group II tumors they were a little more dispersed. In the cases of group III and IV tumors, however, the distribution of the MCLs was found to be widespread, and necrotic cells were observed throughout almost the entire tumor tissue. The high percentage of complete regression of group IV is considered to be due to this wide distribution of the MCLs. Furthermore, the treated rats showed no severe side-effects. These results suggest that our magnetic particles are potentially effective tools for the treatment of solid tumors.