Hyperthermia Applications in Oncology
Summary
Therapeutic hyperthermia involves raising tumour temperatures to between 39 °C and 45 °C to augment the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments. This modality relies on multiple mechanisms, including enhancement of tumour perfusion and oxygenation, inhibition of DNA repair pathways and modulation of immune responses. By improving oxygen delivery, hyperthermia counters radiation resistance associated with hypoxic regions, while direct heat‐induced protein denaturation can damage cellular structures and sensitize malignant cells to chemotherapy. Advances in device technology, encompassing microwave and radiofrequency applicators, phased‐array systems and high‐intensity focused ultrasound, have enabled precise spatial and temporal control of thermal dose. Techniques range from local interstitial heating to locoregional external applicators and, in select indications, whole‐body hyperthermia. Contemporary treatment planning integrates patient‐specific anatomical models and thermal dosimetry to predict temperature distributions and avoid hot spots in normal tissue. Beyond radiosensitisation and chemosensitisation, emerging evidence underscores a role for hyperthermia in promoting anti‐tumour immunity through heat shock protein expression and enhanced antigen presentation. Clinical applications span superficial recurrences, deep‐seated pelvic and head and neck tumours, and experimental combinations with immunotherapy. As devices become more integrated with real‐time thermometry and computational modelling, hyperthermia is poised to assume a broader role as a precision adjunct in multidisciplinary oncology programmes.
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Hyperthermia Applications in Oncology publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in hyperthermia applications in oncology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Hyperthermia: The therapeutic elevation of tumour temperature to 39–45 °C to enhance sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Thermal ablation: Direct tumour destruction by heating tissues above 50 °C, leading to coagulative necrosis.
Radiosensitisation: Enhancement of radiation‐induced cell killing, often through inhibition of DNA repair and improved oxygenation.
Thermal dosimetry: Measurement and planning of temperature distributions in tissues during hyperthermia treatment.
Perfusion: Blood flow through tissue, which influences heat distribution and oxygen delivery within the tumour microenvironment.
References
- Combination Therapy of Radiation and Hyperthermia, Focusing on the Synergistic Anti-Cancer Effects and Research Trends. Antioxidants (2023).
- Quantification of tissue property and perfusion uncertainties in hyperthermia treatment planning: Multianalysis using polynomial chaos expansion. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine (2023).
- Heating technology for malignant tumors: a review. International Journal of Hyperthermia (2020).
- Effects of hyperthermia on DNA repair pathways: one treatment to inhibit them all. Radiation Oncology (2015).
- Hyperthermia: The Optimal Treatment to Overcome Radiation Resistant Hypoxia. Cancers (2019).
- Cancer immunity and therapy using hyperthermia with immunotherapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment (2017).
- Current state of the art of regional hyperthermia treatment planning: a review. Radiation Oncology (2015).
- Status quo and directions in deep head and neck hyperthermia. Radiation Oncology (2016).
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