Apoptosis induced by hyperthermia in human glioblastoma cell line and murine glioblastoma

Objective: To study the role of apoptosis in tumor cell of malignant glioma death following treatment with hyperthermia and calcium ionophore. Methods: The apoptosis induced by hyperthermia and calcium ionophore, A23187, in human glioblastoma cell line TJ905 and murine glioblastoma G422 was evaluated by characteristic findings in DNA agarose gel electrophresis, ultrastructural examination and flow cytometric analysis. Results: Apoptosis could be induced by moderate hyperthermia, but not by mild hyperthermia, calcium ionophore enhanced significantly the effect of mild hyperthermia on the induction of apoptosis. Conclusion: This result indicates that apoptotic cell death is one of the mechanisms of hyperthermic therapy for malignant glioma and taking measures to increase the cytolic calcium may enhance the effect of hyperthermia.