local hyperthermia in the treatmnet of locally advanced cervical cancer: current view on the problem

The purpose of the study was to review available data on the combined use of local hyperthermia and chemotherapy/radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer, as well as to analyze longterm treatment outcomes. Material and methods. A systemic literature review was conducted using medline, cochrane library, and elibrary databases in the interval time between 2003 and 2020. Results. The review describes the mechanisms of biological efficiency of local hyperthermia and evaluates the effect of hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy on cancer cells. Analysis of the thermobiological effects of local hyperthermia indicates that it is a potent sensitizer of cell killing by ionizing radiation and chemotherapy. The increase in tumor radiosensitivity is caused by the inhibition of the repair processes of damaged dna strands. Hyperthermia enhances perfusion and oxygenation of hypoxic tumor cells with a consecutive increase in tumor radiosensitivity. During chemotherapy, local hyperthermia ensures the maximum targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents to the tumor, thus increasing the effectiveness of treatment. Moreover, local hyperthermia has a direct cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. Randomized trials on the use of hyperthermia in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer have shown positive immediate and long-term treatment outcomes. Conclusion. Local hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy is a promising treatment modality for locally advanced cervical cancer, because it can significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce the frequency of early and late adverse effects. However, despite the available world experience, there are no unified methodological approaches to local hyperthermia, and therefore further research is required.