Efficacy of hyperthermia and polyunsaturated fatty acids on experimental carcinoma.

We investigated the efficacy of hyperthermia and gamma-linolenic acid on experimental carcinoma. This study focused on polyunsaturated fatty acids that are substrates for free radical reactions. Oleic acid, linolenic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, or gamma-linolenic acid was injected into the arteries feeding AH109A carcinoma implanted into rat hind limbs. Among these, gamma-linolenic acid had the greatest effect on tumor tissue lipid peroxidation and demonstrated an antitumor effect. Consequently, gamma-linolenic acid injection into the feeding artery of a tumor was performed immediately prior to hyperthermia. This combination therapy induced a high level of lipid peroxidation in tumor tissue and a significant antitumor effect. Hyperthermia combined with gamma-linolenic acid produces free radical reactions by increasing the radical reaction substrate and may be an effective anticancer modality.