6533b838fe1ef96bd12a45cc

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Physiological Effects of Hyperthermia

subject

description

Hyperthermia as a modality for the treatment of malignant tumors, either alone or in combination with radiation or anticancer drugs, is rapidly becoming a clinical reality. Three different mechanisms of action have provided the rationale for considering the use of hyperthermia as an antitumor agent. At moderate hyperthermia (T=40˚ -42.5˚ C), heat can increase cell killing in a synergistic way following exposure of a tumor to ionizing radiation. This radiosensitization is probably based on, among other things, the inhibited repair of radiation-induced DNA lesions. Elevated tissue temperatures at 40˚ -42.5˚ C also sensitize tumor cells to certain chemotherapeutic drugs, particularly to alkylating agents (chemosensitization). In this context it has been shown that the action of bleomycin, Adriamycin, and cis-platinum is also enhanced by heat treatment (see detailed literature data in: Bicher and Bruley 1982; Dethlefsen and Dewey 1982; Dietzel 1975; Hahn 1982; Hornback 1984; Jain and Gullino 1980; Nussbaum 1982; Overgaard 1984/85; Storm 1983; Streffer et al. 1978).