Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy enhances antitumor effects on ovarian cancer through immune-mediated cancer stem cell targeting

Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to determine the effects and possible mechanisms of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in targeting ovarian cancer stem-like cells (CSCs).

Methods

Murine ovarian cancer cell lines presenting CSC surface markers were grown intraperitoneally in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice, which were then treated by intraperitoneal hyperthermia with the chemotherapeutic agents: paclitaxel and cisplatin. Tumor growth was measured by non-invasive luminescent imaging. Intraperitoneal immune cells, such as CD4⁺, CD8⁺ T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, were evaluated through flow cytometry analysis.

Results

Combined hyperthermia and chemotherapy exhibited an efficient therapeutic effect in the immunocompetent mice. However, a similar effect was not observed in the immunodeficient mice. Intraperitoneal hyperthermia increased the number of Intraperitoneal macrophages and dendritic cells that were lost due to chemotherapy. Compared with ovarian cancer bulk cells, CSCs were more susceptible to phagocytosis by macrophages.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that the superior therapeutic efficacy and reduced proportion of CSCs associated with intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy were immune-related. Hyperthermia recruits the phagocytes that target surviving CSCs after chemotherapy. These results provide a novel mechanism for the efficacy of HIPEC in treating ovarian cancer.

Keywords:

• Hyperthermia
• HIPEC ((hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy)
• macrophage
• cancer stem-like cells
• anti-tumor immunity
• ovarian cancer

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, R.O.C. under Grant no. MOST 109-2314-B-195-009.