Hyperthermia in cancer therapy

Tumor hyperthermia is a rediscovered technique of oncotherapy which has confirmed value in many studies on cell cultures, rodent and mammalian tumors as well as first investigations on patients with tumors. The biological basis for using heat in the treatment of cancer is well established. Various direct and indirect mechanisms are significant for the effect of hyperthermia on tumor tissue. Whereas there are already extensive studies on the direct effects of hyperthermia on DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, energy metabolism, and the membrane properties of tumor cells, the indirect effects have only been investigated more closely in recent years. These are likewise important for the damage to the tumor tissue and are mediated above all via alterations in the microcirculation and the environment. The recently gained increasing significance of this new technique in combination with other treatment modalities is well documented. Technical problems of heat application must be overcome, especially in deeper tumors and problems of thermometry must be solved in order to be able to apply tumor hyperthermia not only to selected advanced or recurrent tumors, but in order to use it as the fourth pillar of tumor therapy besides surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This article considers the biological basis and important aspects of hyperthermia therapy in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.