Improved Efficacy of Liposomal Doxorubicin Treatment of Superficial Tumors by Thermotherapy

Our study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasonic thermotherapy on the targeted delivery of liposomal doxorubicin to superficial tumors, local drug concentrations in tumor tissue, and the curative effect of chemotherapy. Twenty rabbits with VX2 tumors transplanted into the superficial muscle of the hind limb were randomly assigned to the following 4 treatment groups: (1) free doxorubicin, (2) liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride, (3) liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride plus 41 °C thermotherapy, and (4) liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride plus 43 °C thermotherapy. Ultrasonic thermotherapy was delivered at 41 °C to 43 °C. Plasma, tumor, and organ/tissue homogenates were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography to determine doxorubicin concentrations. The drug concentration in plasma and tumor tissue was significantly higher in the liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride plus thermotherapy group than in the liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride and free doxorubicin groups, but there were no significant differences among the 4 groups in the concentration in heart or kidney tissue. Combining thermotherapy with liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride chemotherapy significantly increased the concentration of the drug in tumor tissue. The doxorubicin concentration was significantly higher in the liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride plus 41 °C thermotherapy group.