Scientific basis of Hyperthermia
HYPERTHERMIA
RADIO-BIOLOGICAL RATIONALE
Hyperthermia (HT), heating tumors in the range 41-43°C, is a powerful radio and chemosensitizer. The effectiveness of HT as well as its safety, in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, has already been proven in phase III clinical trials [1, 2] particularly in patients with very large or very advanced stages of cancer and recurrent tumors. HT enhances the effect of radiotherapy on the tumor, without additional toxicity for healthy tissues, thanks to of three synergistic mechanisms:
INHIBITION OF DNA REPAIR
HT enhances the effectiveness of radiotherapy by inhibiting repair of DNA damage.
(3, 4, 6, 7)
REOXYGENATION
HT increases tissue perfusion resulting in reoxygenation, thereby reducing hypoxia and increasing radiosensitivity.
With regards to chemotherapy, hyperthermia targets its action within the heated tumor region without affecting systemic toxicity. It has also been shown that local hyperthermia has the capability of inducing systemic anti-tumor immune responses.
(3, 4, 5)
DIRECT CELL KILLING
HT selectively kills radioresistant hypoxic tumor cells.
(3)
