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Selective Lethal Effect of Supranormal Temperatures on Human Neoplastic Cells¹

Cancer Research Laboratory, St. Joseph Hospital, Houston, Texas 77002

The effects of supranormal temperatures upon normal human cells (derived from normal adult and embryonal tissues) and neoplastic human cells (derived from biopsies of malignant tumors) have been quantitatively studied in tissue culture. Melanoma cells have been compared with melanocytes derived from fetal uveas. Colon carcinoma cells have been compared with embryonal intestinal epithelial cells. Malignant neuroepithelial cells derived from a teratocarcinoma of the ovary have been compared with neuroepithelial cells derived from fetal brain. Fibrosarcoma cells have been compared with normal adult fibroblasts. All cells defined as neoplastic have produced malignant tumors when injected into nude thymus-deficient mice at doses of 1 x 10⁷ cells or less.

Exposure to temperatures of 42.5-43.0° for 4 to 8 hr has been shown to have significantly greater lethal effect on the tumor cells than on the nonneoplastic cells.

¹ This work was supported by The Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research.

Received 12/29/75. Accepted 7/23/76.