open access
Cancer cells resist hyperthermia due to its obstructed activation of caspase 3
open access
Abstract
Aim
It is well known that inducing hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment but some research groups indicate that this treatment is not effective. This article finds and explains the mechanism of this treatment and its possible problems.
Background
Hyperthermia is commonly known as a state when the temperature of the body rises to a level that can threaten one’s health. Hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures (up to 45°C). Research has shown that high temperatures can damage and kill cancer cells, usually with minimal injury to normal tissues. However, this mechanism is not known.
Materials and Methods
We recently treated cancer cells with different temperatures ranging from 37°C to 47°C and further measured their caspase 3 secretion by ELISA, western blot and cell survival rate by microscope.
Results
We found that most cancer cells are able to resist hyperthermia more than normal cells most likely via non-activation of caspase3. We also found that hyperthermia-treated (≥41°) cancer cells extend a long pseudopod-like extension in comparison to the same cancer cells under normal conditions.
Conclusion
Our data here indicates that cancer cells have resistance to higher temperatures compared to normal cells via non-activation of caspase 3. This is a significant issue that needs to be brought to attention as the medical community has always believed that a high temperature treatment can selectively kill cancer/tumor cells. Additionally, we believe that the pseudopod-like extensions of hyperthermia-treated cancer cells must be related to its resistance to hyperthermia.
Abstract
Aim
It is well known that inducing hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment but some research groups indicate that this treatment is not effective. This article finds and explains the mechanism of this treatment and its possible problems.
Background
Hyperthermia is commonly known as a state when the temperature of the body rises to a level that can threaten one’s health. Hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures (up to 45°C). Research has shown that high temperatures can damage and kill cancer cells, usually with minimal injury to normal tissues. However, this mechanism is not known.
Materials and Methods
We recently treated cancer cells with different temperatures ranging from 37°C to 47°C and further measured their caspase 3 secretion by ELISA, western blot and cell survival rate by microscope.
Results
We found that most cancer cells are able to resist hyperthermia more than normal cells most likely via non-activation of caspase3. We also found that hyperthermia-treated (≥41°) cancer cells extend a long pseudopod-like extension in comparison to the same cancer cells under normal conditions.
Conclusion
Our data here indicates that cancer cells have resistance to higher temperatures compared to normal cells via non-activation of caspase 3. This is a significant issue that needs to be brought to attention as the medical community has always believed that a high temperature treatment can selectively kill cancer/tumor cells. Additionally, we believe that the pseudopod-like extensions of hyperthermia-treated cancer cells must be related to its resistance to hyperthermia.
Keywords
Cancer cells resist hyperthermia
About this articleTitle
Cancer cells resist hyperthermia due to its obstructed activation of caspase 3
Journal
Reports of Practical Oncology and Radiotherapy
Issue
Pages
323-326
Published online
2020-05-01
DOI
10.1016/j.rpor.2020.02.008
Bibliographic record
Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2020;25(3):323-326.
Keywords
Cancer cells resist hyperthermia
Authors
Xiaoren Tang
Feng Cao
Weiyuan Ma
Yinian Tang
Bushra Aljahdali
Mansour Alasir
i Erdjan Salih
Serge Dibart