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A. Gasselhuber, M. Dreher, B. Wood, F. Rattay, D. Hämmerich:
"Computer simulation of drug release from temperature-sensitive liposomes during thermal treatment of cancer";
Poster: Workshop, Medical University South Carolina; 2008-11.

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a common treatment for
liver tumors not amenable to surgery. During ablation, an
electrode is inserted into the tumor under imaging guidance,
and the tumor is heated (Fig. 5a, right) and killed via
radiofrequency (RF) electric current. Cancerous tissue is
destroyed by coagulation necrosis once it reaches >50 °C.

Several recent studies indicate a treatment advantage when
low temperature sensitive liposomes (LTSLs)
containing a chemotherapy drug (doxorubicin (DOX)) are
administered in combination with heating therapies due to a
synergistic effect between heat and chemotherapy. LTSLs
release the drug only in the heated region (above ~40 °C)
thereby considerably reducing systemic toxicity compared to
conventional chemotherapy, while increasing local drug
concentration.