Methodology for applied 4 MHz RF hyperthermia concomitant with 31P NMR spectroscopic monitoring of murine tumours.

It has been generally found that solid tumours in vivo are more susceptible to destruction by heat than normal tissues. Hyperthermia has, thus, been employed in the treatment of cancer either applied alone or in combination with other modalities such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, the critical mechanism(s) by which heat sensitizes and kills cells in the solid tumour remains poorly defined. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic monitoring of tumour metabolism during application of hyperthermia may provide important insight into the response to hyperthermic challenge. The implementation of dual antenna-coil methodology that provides for NMR spectroscopic monitoring (31P at 121 MHz) concomitant with applied 4 MHz RF hyperthermia in murine tumours is described herein, in some detail. This technology, which does not require advanced (and expensive) magnetic resonance imaging systems, should be readily adaptable by other laboratories with an interest in murine tumour models.