The 36th Conference of ICHS Chaired by Clifford Hospital President Prof. Pang Launched Global Experts’ Collaborative Compiling on “Clinical Guidelines of Hyperthermia in Cancer Treatment”
The 36th Conference of International Clinical Hyperthermia Society (ICHS) was held in Budapest, Hungary from 28th to 29th, September. With its keynote of “The Future of Hyperthermia: Challenges and Solutions”, 30 scholars from 13 countries shared their new theories, technologies and methods of hyperthermia and their clinical application and researches in cancer treatment. As the chair of the conference, Prof. Pang, president of Clifford Hospital, introduced and summarized these excellent achievements from peers. Besides, Dr. Ou J from Clifford Hospital, also shared the phase I/II research data of “intravenous vitamin C (IVC) synergy with modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) in late stage NSCLC patients”, which was a highlight for experts at the conference. The conference also decided to organize international experts to collaborate on “Clinical Guidelines of Hyperthermia in Cancer Treatment”, which helps to provide recommendations on hyperthermia application.
Share the latest academic achievements
Clinical research as the hot topic
International Clinical Hyperthermia Society, one of the top specialized academic organizations in international hyperthermia community, is a non-profit international organization with its headquarter based in German. Members of the society are composed of onco-thermia specialists, surgeons, oncologists, radio-oncologists and medical physicists. Every year, such an academic conference attracts experts from all over the world, presenting the latest domestic and overseas news and tendencies of the hyperthermia academic development.
In this conference, 30 scholars shared their different methods of using hyperthermia (like combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, immunostimulants or antioxidants) in the treatment of breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, pancreas cancer, colorectal cancer, brain glioma, soft tissue sarcoma and cervical cancer. Among all the hyperthermia achievements, clinical research was more fruitful than ever, making itself probably an important part in the future like disciplinary development and the technology improvement.
“Modulated electro-hyperthermia + high dose intravenous vitamin C”
New progress in treating advanced lung cancer
During the conference, Dr. Ou from Clifford Hospital shared the phase I/II research data of “intravenous vitamin C (IVC) synergy with modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) in late stage NSCLC patients”, which was a highlight for experts at the conference.
Phase I clinical trial indicated intravenous vitamin C (IVC) synergy with mEHT is safe and tolerable, which can significantly elevate the vitamin C level in blood.
Afterwards, Clifford Hospital research team performed the phase II clinical trial (randomized, single-blind) to assess the effect of intravenous vitamin C synergy with mEHT on cancer size, progression-free survival, overall survival time and overall survival rate in late stage NSCLC patients. The trial demonstrated that the disease control rate of the treatment group (receiving vitamin C with mEHT and symptomatic treatment) was 46.7% in three months, significantly higher than that (only 17%) of the control group (receiving symptomatic treatment only). While the median progression-free survival of the treatment group was 3.0 months (95%CI), significantly higher than that of the control group, which was 2.0 months (95%CI) [Hazard ratio = 0.5361; 95%CI -; log-rank P = 0.0094]. The median overall survival of treatment group was 12 months, significantly higher than that of the control group, which was 8 months. After 25 sessions of treatment, the level of interleukin-6 significantly decreased (6.61±4.7 vs 9.8±6.7, P = 0.01) and was significantly lower than that of control group (6.61±4.7 vs 10.1±6.5，P =0.005). C-reactive protein was also significantly reduced as interleukin-6 decreased (P < 0.05).
Meanwhile, scoring of the Quality of Life Scale demonstrated the patients’ mean functioning values were progressively elevated, indicating patients’ overall quality of life was significantly improved (P < 0.05). Of the values, physical functioning (PF), emotional role (RE) and general health perceptions (GH) were significantly elevated (P < 0.05). In addition, patients’ symptoms like fatigue, nausea, pain, dyspnea, and poor appetite were markedly relieved, which were much better than the control group (P < 0.05).
This trial showed that the intravenous vitamin C (IVC) synergy with mEHT significantly improved patients’ quality of life by inhibiting inflammation, effectively controlling cancer size and extending progression-free survival and overall survival, bringing great benefits to late stage NSCLC patients.
The trial results were highly recognized and actively discussed by peer scholars. In addition to sharing data, I also got much inspiration about future research, Dr. Ou said. She added that she will continue clinical study to explore the way to improve patients’ quality of life and extend their survival.
