Interactions between hyperthermia and cytotoxic drugs.
Pioneering studies of the 1970s and 1980s demonstrated that heat application induces cell death at temperatures of more than 43 degrees C in cell cultures and animal experiments, and sensitises tumour cells to radiation and certain cytotoxic drugs in the temperature range of 39 degrees C - 43 degrees C. Further research revealed further details of the complex interactions of heat and drugs in the living organism. In this chapter, we discuss the fundamentals of heat-drug interactions, their variations between certain classes of cytotoxic agents, induction and reversal of drug resistance under hyperthermic conditions, and pharmacological aspects of drug administration during hyperthermia.
Hildebrandt
B
B
Charité-Centrum Tumormedizin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. hyperthermia@charite.de
Wust
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents