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Acidification-Induced Sensitization To Thermoradiotherapy In Breast Cancer, Dennis B. Leeper, L T. Komarnicky

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Hyperthermia is an extensively studied cytotoxic agent, with strong radio- and chemosensitizing potential. Recent positive clinical trials combining superficial or deep heating techniques with radiation therapy strongly support a role for hyperthermia as an adjuvant to radiation. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that acute extracellular acidification will compromise fundamental protective cellular responses and enhance tumor response to hyperthermia and chemotherapy.

Breast cancers, like most other tumors, exhibit elevated levels of lactate production that provides a basis for selective acidification. A phase I/II clinical trial is underway to test the hypothesis that hyperglycemia-induced acute acidification will sensitize …