Hyperthermic potentiation of chromosome aberrations by anticancer antibiotics.

In view of the success of hyperthermia as a modality in cancer treatment, we have studied its effect on chromosomes in combination with anticancer antibiotics. Three classes of chemicals, one with a non-delayed type of effect (adriamycin), one with a delayed type of effect (mitomycin C), and one with a truely radio-mimetic effect (bleomycin) were selected for study on human lymphocytes and Chinese hamster K-1 cells. Propane sultone was also included because its effect on plants is suppressed by hyperthermia. The data show increased because its effect on plants is suppressed by hyperthermia. The data show increased potential of these chemicals to induce chromosome aberrations when applied at temperatures higher than 37 degrees C, irrespective of the phase of cell cycle. The potentiation may be due to true synergism (bleomycin) of facilitation of entry of larger quantities of the drug (adriamycin). No potentiating effect was observed on the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs).