title: Enhancement of the immune response to residual intrahepatic tumor tissue by laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) compared to hepatic resection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In contrast to hepatic resection, thermally destroyed autologous tumor cells remain in situ after laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of LITT and hepatic resection on the immune response to residual intrahepatic tumor tissue and the growth of untreated liver metastases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two independent adenocarcinomas (CC531) were implanted into 60 WAG rats, one in the right (control tumor) and one in the left liver lobe (treated tumor). The left lobe tumor was treated either by LITT or partial hepatectomy. The control tumor was submitted to further investigation 24 hours, 96 hours, 7 days, and 10 days after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten days after treatment, control tumor volumes were 296+/-46 mm_ after LITT and 1,181+/-192 mm_, 1,387+/-200 mm_ after hepatic resection and no treatment, respectively (P<0.001). Peritoneal tumor spread was detected in 4/20 cases after LITT and in 17/20 cases after hepatic resection. Expression of CD8, B7-2 (CD86), and to lesser extent MHCII, LFA1 (CD11a), and ICAM1 (CD54), was significantly enhanced at the invasion front of control tumors after LITT compared to hepatic resection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that LITT increases the immune response against untreated intrahepatic tumor tissue, which can lead to reduced tumor growth.
authors.affiliation: Depatment of Surgery, Klinikum Nuernberg Nord, Prof.-Ernst-Nathan-Strasse 1, D-90419 Nuernberg, Germany. osbert@klinikum-nuernberg.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Isbert
authors.forename: Jörg-P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ritz
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roggan
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schuppan
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rühl
authors.forename: Heinz J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Buhr
authors.forename: Christoph-T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Germer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats