Pilot study on microwave preclinical system for targeted delivery of fractionated hyperthermia in murine solid tumors
- 1Department of Engineering Design, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
- 2Indo-American Cancer Research Foundation
Abstract
Preclinical hyperthermia (HT) research helps uncover heat-induced signaling pathways and improve synergy of anticancer therapies. This pilot study investigates the safety and feasibility of targeted delivery of fractionated HT in mouse xenografts with triple-negative breast cancer using our 2.45 GHz microwave preclinical system. Numerical simulations of the HT applicator on mouse model indicated 98% target coverage for tumors ≤700 mm3 . HT experiment in healthy mice using invasive temperature probe established the safe power level for localized HT in tumor bearing mice. Mice with tumor volumes below 700 mm3 were divided into treatment and control groups (two per group) in the pilot study. Treatment group received six fractions of HT lasting 45 min each, with 48-hour interval between fractions. Tumor growth was monitored using caliper and treatment effects were assessed in terms of health status and histopathology. Mice body weight gain was stable (26–26.5 g) and no adverse effects were observed in both groups. Tumor growth in HT group reduced by 43% compared to controls. Histological analysis revealed significantly greater tumor damage in treated mice (40–70%) versus controls (5–10%). It is concluded that the preclinical system is robust for carrying out detailed preclinical investigations on HT induced thermal response mechanisms and combining HT with anticancer combination therapies.
Related
- 224 Preclinical evaluation of a claudin18.2-sensing, membrane-proximal mesothelin-targeted SNIPR CAR-T platform for pancreatic cancer and other solid tumors
- 76 Tumor targeting and biodistribution of MK-4464, a CEACAM5-targeted NK cell engager, using [89Zr]MK-4464 PET in preclinical models and cancer patients
- From Active Compound to Target Epithelium: Local Delivery, Preclinical Model Validity, and Clinical Endpoint Interpretation in Topical Therapy for HPV-Associated Lower Genital Tract Disease—A Narrative Review
- Enhancing intravesical bladder cancer therapy: from mucoadhesive to targeted drug delivery strategies
- Chitosan nanoparticles functionalised with protocatechuic acid improve colon-targeted pazopanib delivery with multi-pathway therapeutic regulation and pharmacokinetic optimisation in colorectal cancer
BibTeX
@article{dontiboina2026pilot,
title = {{Pilot study on microwave preclinical system for targeted delivery of fractionated hyperthermia in murine solid tumors}},
author = {Hemanth Kumar Dontiboina and Gopal Gopisetty and Kavitha Arunachalam},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-62731-9},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62731-9},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Pilot study on microwave preclinical system for targeted delivery of fractionated hyperthermia in murine solid tumors
AU - Hemanth Kumar Dontiboina
AU - Gopal Gopisetty
AU - Kavitha Arunachalam
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-62731-9
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62731-9
AB - Preclinical hyperthermia (HT) research helps uncover heat-induced signaling pathways and improve synergy of anticancer therapies. This pilot study investigates the safety and feasibility of targeted delivery of fractionated HT in mouse xenografts with triple-negative breast cancer using our 2.45 GHz microwave preclinical system. Numerical simulations of the HT applicator on mouse model indicated 98% target coverage for tumors ≤700 mm^3 . HT experiment in healthy mice using invasive temperature probe established the safe power level for localized HT in tumor bearing mice. Mice with tumor volumes below 700 mm^3 were divided into treatment and control groups (two per group) in the pilot study. Treatment group received six fractions of HT lasting 45 min each, with 48-hour interval between fractions. Tumor growth was monitored using caliper and treatment effects were assessed in terms of health status and histopathology. Mice body weight gain was stable (26–26.5 g) and no adverse effects were observed in both groups. Tumor growth in HT group reduced by 43% compared to controls. Histological analysis revealed significantly greater tumor damage in treated mice (40–70%) versus controls (5–10%). It is concluded that the preclinical system is robust for carrying out detailed preclinical investigations on HT induced thermal response mechanisms and combining HT with anticancer combination therapies.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -