Technical Note: System for evaluating local hypothermia as a radioprotector of the rectum in a small animal model

Abstract

A 3D-printed rectal cooling device was fabricated for the purpose of inducing local hypothermia in the rat rectum. The RTCA was simply integrated with an image-guided small animal irradiator and Monte Carlo-based treatment planning system to facilitate an in vivo investigation of the radioprotective effect of hypothermia for late rectal toxicity following a single large dose of radiation.

The Effect of Low Temperatures on Environmental Radiation Damage in Living Systems: Does Hypothermia Show Promise for Space Travel?

“…That same year, Joseph Weiss indicated the possibility that hypothermic treatments could increase a tumor’s radiosensitivity while decreasing the sensitivity of the normal tissues surrounding it [ 25 ]. The development of a system for evaluating localized hypothermia’s radioprotective effects is important for potential clinical applications [ 26 ]. A ground-breaking clinical study from 2017 showed the significant radioprotective effect associated with the use of localized hypothermia (15 °C) when accompanied by a single large dose of radiation aimed at mitigating a rectal obstruction and/or bleeding [ 27 ].…”