Thermal ablation versus conventional regional hyperthermia has greater anti-tumor activity against melanoma in mice by upregulating CD4+ cells and enhancing IL-2 secretion

To determine whether conventional hyperthermia (42–45 °C) or ablation therapy (>50 °C) achieves better synergistic effects on direct cytotoxicity and anti-tumor immunity, we compared the therapeutic effects of two hyperthermia temperatures, 43 and 55 °C, in terms of cytotoxicity and upregulation of immune functions in a mouse malignant melanoma model. Melanoma-bearing mice were treated by directly applying regional hyperthermia to the tumor nodule with a heating light at a temperature of 43 °C for 30 min or 55 °C for 10 min. The tumor growth curve and mice survival rate were observed. To investigate the hyperthermia-induced immunological response, peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the serum IL-2 level were determined. Our results indicated that application of regional hyperthermia at the ablation temperature (such as 55 °C) achieved better synergistic anti-tumor effects than did conventional hyperthermia (43 °C). Significant increases in the number of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells and the serum IL-2 level likely contributed to the underlying mechanism.