Tumor Oxygenation Using Direct Injection of Oxygenated Saline

Abstract

Direct injection of oxygen into an in-vivo tumor system was performed using saline lavage through a double-lumen catheter inserted into a Walker 256 carcinoma implanted in the flank of a rat. Ten extremely hypoxic tumors (core pO2 0 to 1 mm Hg) were examined. The mean pO2 in these tumors increased from 66 to 112 mm Hg after S minutes of lavage with oxygenated saline. These results indicate a substantial increase in tumor pO2 can be obtained with this system, possibly resulting in improved radioresponsiveness. More general applications of this system may also be feasible.