Oncogenic transformation and hyperthermia.

The potential of hyperthermia for producing oncogenic transformation in vitro was assessed using C3H/10T 1/2 mouse embryo cells. Temperatures in the range of 40 degrees to 45 degrees C caused no transformations, whether or not the heat treatment was associated with significant cell killing. In addition modest hyperthermia appreciably reduced the transformation frequencies associated with X-ray doses. The findings suggest an additional benefit in combining ionizing radiations with hyperthermia.