RATIONALE AND CLINICAL STATUS OF 41.8-DEGREES-C SYSTEMIC HYPERTHERMIATUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR, AND MELPHALAN FOR NEOPLASTIC DISEASE

Dramatic clinical results have been obtained in malignant melanoma and sarcoma rising hyperthermic limb perfusion in combination with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and melphalan (L-PAM). In order to extrapolate t hese results to systemic treatment, a preclinical research program was initiated to study the interactions of hyperthermia, TNF, and L-PRM. Based on these results, a Phase I clinical trial of whole body hyperth ermia (WBH) and L-PAM was initiated and completed. Clinical results ob tained were consistent with initiating two second generation studies: a) a Phase II study of WBH and L-PAM for malignant melanoma; b) a Phas e I study of WBH, TNF and L-PAM. Both of these studies are currently a ctive at the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center. The following review summarizes the laboratory and clinical data obtained to date regarding this systemic multi-modality treatment approach.