Hyperthermia Suppresses Post - In Vitro Proliferation and Tumor Growth in Murine Malignant Melanoma and Colon Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Several studies have highlighted hyperthermia's ability to enhance the effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy in various in vitro and in vivo cancer models.

Materials and methods: In vivo murine models of malignant melanoma and colon carcinoma were utilized for demonstrating hyperthermia's therapeutic effectiveness by examining levels of caspase 3, COX-2 and phospho-H2A.X (Ser139) as endpoints of apoptosis, proliferation and DNA damage respectively.

Results: Hyperthermia induced in vitro cytotoxicity in malignant melanoma (B16-F10) and colon carcinoma (CT26) cell lines. In addition, it reduced post-in vitro proliferation and suppression of tumor growth by inducing the expression of caspase-3 and phospho-H2A.X (Ser139) while reducing the expression of COX-2 in both murine cancer models.

Conclusion: Hyperthermia can exert therapeutic effectiveness against melanoma and colon carcinoma by inhibiting a number of critical cellular cascades including apoptosis, proliferation and DNA damage.

Keywords: DNA damage; Hyperthermia; apoptosis; colon carcinoma; experimental cancer therapeutics; malignant melanoma; proliferation.