Hyperthermia

   Clinical hyperthermia is defined as the use of temperatures of 41degrees centigrade (or 105.8 degrees Fahrenheit).  Hyperthermia had a direct cytotoxic effect caused by impaired DNA repair, denaturation of proteins, induction of heat-shock proteins which may serve as receptors for natural killer-cells, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis.  The cytotoxic effect is related to the temperature as well as the exposure time and the time-relation to other therapies.  Hyperthermia is also synergistic with certain cytotoxic drugs such as mitomycin and cisplatin. Increased permeability of cell membranes increases drug uptake by tumor tissue.