Hyperthermia

Abstract

While radiation typically induces death via damage to DNA, heat is believed to induce cell death through denaturation and aggregation of proteins. Hyperthermia may be effective at killing radio-resistant tumor cells, including S-phase, non-dividing, hypoxic, or poorly vascularized cells. When combined with radiation, there may be a synergistic effect through vasodilation (reducing hypoxia) and inhibition of DNA repair. After a heat dose, thermotolerance may develop due to expression of heat shock proteins. There are several methods to deliver heat to a tumor, but accurate dosing and monitoring of tumor temperatures has historically been problematic.