Microcalorimetric study on the enhanced antitumor effects of 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil by combination with hyperthermia on K-562 cell line

The antitumor effects of 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (Carmofur) combine d with hyperthermia were studied on K-562 cell line by microcalorimetry and fluorescence microscopy. The effect was evaluated by the maximal thermal p ower of the cell line K-562 and the total energy e released during the meas urement period (44 h). The results indicate that the combination of Carmofu r and hyperthermia has a synergetic effect. Hence, microcalorimetry is a po werful tool in fields of clinical cases and Carmofur is clinically useful i n thermochemotherapy. The result of fluorescence microscope observations sh ow that apoptosis occurs under the action of Carmofur combined with hyperth ermia. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.