Computational design of an RF controlled theranostic model for evaluation of tissue biothermal response

Abstract

Human disease management strategies are gradually shifting from the traditional approach towards personalized medicine. Thermal therapy comprising of clinical hyperthermia and therapeutic hypothermia has been subject of recent research. However, both have suffered in clinical trials because thermal monitoring is not impressive and delivering the appropriate amount of heat to the appropriate part of the patient’s tissues is challenging. Hence, this study is aimed at addressing these challenges by technically merging the principles of magnetic resonance relaxation to the Bioheat transfer phenomenon. The analytical solutions to the Pennes Bioheat equation are connected to radiofrequency (RF) power absorption in tissue that is dependent on the magnetic resonance relaxation parameters. A carefully selected RF field is used to control the model for hyperthermia and therapeutic hypothermia. The solution obtained is then applied to hyperthermia treatment of tumours and therapeutic hypothermia of the brain. The thermal profiles obtained do not only show excellent contrasts between different tissues but real time monitoring of tissue thermal response is very impressive. By producing individualized virtual tumours that may predict disease progression, the thermal profiles based on the controlled parameters developed in this study can contribute to the ongoing dialogue regarding the design of appropriate response criteria, provide a means to perform virtual clinical trials to assess the likely benefit of novel neurotherapeutics, and move neuro-oncology toward individualized treatment plans optimized for maximum benefit.