Interactions of hyperthermia with hypoxic cell sensitisers.

Abstract

The role of hypoxic cell radiosensitisers has been extensively investigated for the past two decades. Efficacy in experimental models awaits validation in the clinic, but newer drugs currently entering clinical trial show considerable promise. Preferential hypoxic cell cytotoxicity by these electron-affinic agents was demonstrated about 10 years ago. Soon after the enhancement of this cytotoxity by hyperthermia was reported in cells in monolayer culture (Stratford and Adams 1977; Hall et al. 1977), multicellular tumour spheroids (Morgan and Bleehen 1981) and experimental tumours in vivo (Bleehen et al. 1977a; George et al. 1977). The purpose of this paper is briefly to review the topic of the interaction of heat with some hypoxic cell sensitisers. In addition we will also present some of our recent data on aspects of the pharmacology of this combination of treatment modalities. This updates reviews presented at the 2nd International Hyperthermia Symposium in Essen (Bleehen et al. 1978) and more recently by Adams et al. (1982).