A method for hyperthermic treatment of mouse skin

The Sencar mouse skin system is a recognized model for tumour initiation, promotion and progression. The current interest in the effect of hyperthermia on this multi-stage tumorigenesis model prompted the need for a technique to accurately heat a section of dorsal skin of a large number of mice for 30 min per heat treatment. In the technique described, experimental groups of 25 female Sencar mice were treated at 7-8 weeks of age under general methoxyflurane anaesthesia. Treatment consisted of the application of initiating and/or promoting agents with or without hyperthermia. For hyperthermic skin treatments, each group of mice was placed onto a platform in a water bath so that the dorsal skin of the mice was in contact with 44 degrees C temperature controlled water.