A new antitumour treatment combining radiation and electric pulses

Aim: To. investigate the antitumour effect of radiation in combination with , electropermeabilization on subcutaneous rat glioma tumours. Materials and Methods: Sub-optimal radiation treatment was administered separately or in combination with electric pulses of high voltage to subcutaneous rat brain tumours. The treatment was repeated on four consecutive days and evaluated by TGD and microscopical examination. The tumours were stained for Factor VIII/von Willebrand Factor to investigate the effects on the tumour vascula ture. Results: Radiation and electric pulses applied concomitantly resulted in a cure rate of 67% (tumour free > 80 days after treatment). Radiation-t reated animals showed progressive disease. Histological and immunohistochem ical examination of electric impulse-treated tumours showed instant and sev ere deteriorating effects on tumour vasculature. Conclusion: A distinct ant itumour effect of the combined treatment of electric pulses and radiation t reatment was observed. We believe that the tumouricidal effect arises from destruction of the tumour vasculature but also from DNA related damage from reactive oxygen formed by the electric pulses and the radiation treatment.