Alfacell Corporation, makers of an experimental mesothelioma drug, has reported that the effects of Onconase (ranpirnase) are enhanced by mild hyperthermia – which is a mild increase in body temperature.

Onconase is currently undergoing phase three clinical trials for the treatment of mesothelioma.

Alfacell released its report entitled, “Mild Hyperthermia predisposes tumor cells to undergo apoptosis upon treatment with ONCONASE,” published in the April 2007 issue of the International Journal of Oncology.

The Study

In the study, Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz, M.D., Ph.D., and fellow researchers found that apoptosis (cancer cell death) was increased by 200 percent when Onconase was administered to cancer cells (specifically lyphoblastoid TK6 cells) at 104 degrees Fahrenheit instead of the usual 99.5 degrees.

“This is very encouraging data that support our work in investigating multiple therapeutic options for the Onconase franchise,” said Alfacell Chairman and chief executive officer Kuslima Shogen. “These studies indicate that we may be able to increase the drug’s effectiveness in combination with mild hyperthermia. This opens up new possibilities in creating treatment regimens for various indications.”

What is Hyperthermia?

During hyperthermia the body temperature is raised to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Whole body hyperthermia is considered to be a safe form of therapy that does not cause any sustained organ damage.

It is used in the treatment of cancer, both alone and also in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

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