ENHANCEMENT OF DOXORUBICIN-INDUCED CYTOTOXICITY BY HYPERTHERMIA IN EHRLICH ASCITES-CELLS

Hyperthermia (HPT) at 43 degrees C for 30 min increased the cytotoxic activity of doxorubicin against the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinom a cells. There was more delay in tumor growth with 89% inhibition in t he tumor volume and 90% increase in the survival of the tumor-bearing animals compared to control group. Combination of HPT with doxorubicin showed a more pronounced inhibitory effect on tumor content of DNA, R NA, protein, cholesterol, total lipid and acid phosphatase activity. H PT did not significantly affect the doxorubicin uptake into tumor cell s, but it has some inhibitory effect on some vital components. Along w ith other results, our data suggest the benefit of using HPT to enhanc e the cytotoxic activity of doxorubicin with a consequent reduction of doxorubicin dose and hence a decrease of its serious side effects.