Effect of thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin with hyperthermia on primary tumor and lung metastases in hamster osteosarcoma

We evaluated the effect of intravenous thermosensitive liposomal doxorubici n (TL-DOX) together with local hyperthermia on primary tumors in highly met astatic hamster osteosarcoma. This combination resulted in higher DOX conce ntrations in plasma, primary tumors and lungs than standard DOX under the s ame conditions. Tumor,growth and lung metastasis were also inhibited more b y TL-DOX and hyperthermia than by hyperthermia alone, DOX with or without h yperthermia, and TL-DOX without hyperthermia. In addition, gains in hamster body weight were not suppressed. These results suggest that the combinatio n of TL-DOX and hyperthermia can control primary tumors and suppress lung m etastasis in hamsters.