Enhancing Cancer Therapy with Hyperthermia: Synergistic Effects with Natural Compounds and Conventional Treatments

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Hyperthermia (HT) is an emerging cancer therapy.
• It offers advantages like low toxicity and synergistic effects with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the mechanisms and benefits of hyperthermia in cancer treatment.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of HT with natural compounds.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on hyperthermia mechanisms.
• Analysis of studies combining HT with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and natural compounds.

Main Results:

• HT enhances treatment efficacy by inhibiting DNA repair, increasing drug uptake, and improving tumor oxygenation.
• HT induces cancer cell death via oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest, and vascular damage.
• Combination therapy with natural compounds like propolis and flavonoids amplifies therapeutic effects, modulates the tumor microenvironment, and potentially reduces side effects.

Conclusions:

• Hyperthermia is a promising cancer treatment adjunct with multifaceted benefits.
• Combining HT with natural compounds offers a potent, cost-effective, and potentially less toxic approach to cancer therapy.