The feasibility of developing site-specific external microwave applicators for the Labthermics MICROTHERM(R) 1000 hyperthermia therapy system for the treatment of cancer will be examined to improve the uniformity and control of heating, and to expand the number of superficial tissue sites which can be treated effectively with hyperthermia. Phase I studies will consists of four tasks: 1) theoretically optimize lightweight, dual concentric conductor (DCC) microwave antennas that can be used independently or grouped in conformal arrays to heat irregularly shaped tumors in anatomical locations which have proven to be difficult to treat with existing technology (e.g., diffuse chest wall, oral cavity, disease adjacent to axilla, clavicle or mandible, etc.), 2) construct prototype single and multiple aperture array applicators based upon the optimized DCC antenna, incorporating an improved patient interface for superior comfort, mobility, and applicator coupling to the entire tumor to accommodate long duration hyperthermia treatment as well as simultaneous thermoradiotherapy, 3) modify existing MICROTHERM(R) 1000 software and hardware to control the new applicators and to provide enhanced temperature monitoring capabilities, and 4) characterize the uniformity and controllability of heating from each new applicator via power in tissue equivalent phantoms.Proposed commercial application:This research offers the potential of expanding the applicability and performance of the Labthermics MICROTHERM(R) 1000 microwave hyperthermia system. This device received an FDA Investigational Device Exemption and is presently in clinical trials at 3 sites in the United States. The proposed family of site-specific applicators will improve the clinical utility of the MICROTHERM(R) system, and expand the number of patients that can be treated with the device, thereby enhancing its commercial potential.National Cancer Institute (NCI)
