Dr Han on the Use of HIPEC in Ovarian Cancer

Ernest S. Han, MD, PhD, gynecologic oncologist, associate professor, chief, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope, discusses the use of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in ovarian cancer.

Although HIPEC has long been utilized across the landscape of cancer care, it was only recently explored for use in the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer, Han says. In an effort to improve the effects of chemotherapy in this patient population, prior studies have evaluated intraperitoneal-based therapies, where the chemotherapy is administered directly inside the abdominal cavity, Han continues.

Investigators have also looked at adding heat to intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Several studies have shown that the heated chemotherapies activate the immune system, Han explains. The addition of heat can also affect proteins and inhibit DNA repair, leading to an increase in cell death, Han says.

The observed synergistic activities between heat and the platinum-based chemotherapy have lent support to the use of HIPEC in patients with ovarian cancer; however, more research needs to be done to fully examine the use of this treatment method for this patient population, Han concludes.