Hyperthermia-induced cell death by apoptosis in myeloma cells

We have analyzed by morphological (TEM) and histochemical (TUNEL reaction) criteria the type of cell death occurring in one case of human multiple mye loma after hyperthermia. Samples of cells examined immediately at the end o f two treatments with a 15-day interval showed a significant degeneration, mostly demonstrating features of apoptosis (cell shrinkage, DNA fragmentati on, karyorrhexis). The possible causes of the lag period between heating an d apoptosis onset-expression are discussed. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.