Nanoparticle-Mediated Hyperthermia and Cytotoxicity Mechanisms in Cancer

Abstract

Hyperthermia has the potential to damage cancerous tissue by increasing the body temperature. However, targeting cancer cells whilst protecting the surrounding tissues is often challenging, especially when implemented in clinical practice. In this direction, there are data showing that the combination of nanotechnology and hyperthermia offers more successful penetration of nanoparticles in the tumor environment, thus allowing targeted hyperthermia in the region of interest. At the same time, unlike radiotherapy, the use of non-ionizing radiation makes hyperthermia an attractive therapeutic option. This review summarizes the existing literature regarding the use of hyperthermia and nanoparticles in cancer, with a focus on nanoparticle-induced cytotoxicity mechanisms.

Enhancement of skin tumor laser hyperthermia with Ytterbium nanoparticles: numerical simulation

“…Hyperthermia is described as a temporary abnormal increase in the temperature of a specific body part [1]. In the context of hyperthermia (HT), it is necessary to raise the temperature of the specific tissue to a range between 46 and 50 degrees Celsius, with the aim of causing cell death by either apoptosis or necrosis [2,3]. The thermal effect generated at high temperatures offers a viable route for targeting and incapacitating diseased cells, increasing their susceptibility to additional therapeutic modalities such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.…”

Combination Treatment with Liposomal Doxorubicin and Inductive Moderate Hyperthermia for Sarcoma Saos-2 Cells

“…Previous studies have shown that various DOX nanoformulations caused a more pronounced antitumor effect in vitro and in vivo when combined with hyperthermia [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Comparisons between free DOX and LDOX given in combination with different hyperthermia methods (water bath and infrared heating) revealed a significantly greater inhibition of tumor growth and reduced toxicity profiles in experimental sarcoma models [ 27 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”