Whole Body Hyperthermia: A Phase-l Trial of a Potential Adjuvant to Chemotherapy

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Abstract
Patients (14) with a variety of neoplasms not responsive to standard forms of therapy underwent whole body hyperthermia for a maximum 4 h at 41.8.degree. C. This was a phase-I cancer trial designed to develop whole body hyperthermia as an adjuvant to systemic chemotherapy. I.v. analgesia was used to sedate patients, obviating the need for general endotracheal anesthesia. Hyperthermia was induced by a high-flow water perfusion suit. Cardiovascular performance was evaluated using a flow-directed pulmonary artery catheter. Patients developed a 2-fold mean increase in cardiac index without evidence of cardiac damage by ECG or creatine phosphokinase (CPK) isoenzymes. An acute fall in serum Mg and phosphate and an acute rise in arterial pH, serum CPK values and granulocyte count occurred in all patients. There were no clotting abnormalities. Toxicity included fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and transient elevations in liver enzymes. Four patients were febrile for 36 h after initial defervescence. Peripheral neuropathy developed in 4. With carefully monitored conditions whole body hyperthermia is feasible.