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Review
. 2009 Jun;10(6):550-8.

Hyperthermia as an immunotherapy strategy for cancer

Joseph J Skitzki  1 , Elizabeth A Repasky, Sharon S Evans
Affiliations
Review

Hyperthermia as an immunotherapy strategy for cancer

Joseph J Skitzki et al. Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2009 Jun.

Abstract

The use of hyperthermia as an adjunct to cancer immunotherapy is supported by an increasing number of research data. Both preclinical and clinical data results have demonstrated improved antitumor immune responses with the addition of mild hyperthermia. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the improved immune reactivity observed in the presence of hyperthermia include the generation of Hsps, the activation of antigen-presenting cells and changes in lymphocyte trafficking. Understanding these hyperthermia-induced processes can serve as the foundation for analyzing current clinical trials, as well as designing future trials in cancer immunotherapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Improvement of antitumor adaptive immunity with hyperthermia
Hyperthermia impacts the ability of several factors to improve adaptive immunity to tumor antigens culminating in antigen-targeted antitumor responses. DC dendritic cell.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Antitumor effects of fever-range hyperthermia
Beneficial immune consequences of fever-range hyperthermia are mediated via Hsp peptide release, dendritic cell (DC) activation and changes in trafficking, including cellular adhesive and immune surveillance
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