EFFECT OF HYPERTHERMIA AND MELPHALAN ON SURVIVAL OF HUMAN FIBROBLAST STRAINS AND MELANOMA CELL LINES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 37  (1) , 152-156
Abstract
The survival of 4 human fibroblast strains and 7 malignant melanoma cell lines was determined by the colony formation method following 4 h treatment with various concentrations of melphalan, with or without simultaneous exposure to hyperthermia (42.degree.). The 2 amelanotic melanoma lines (MM127 and MM253) were 10 times more sensitive to melphalan at 36.degree. than the 4 fibroblast strains, the 5 pigmented melanoma lines being of intermediate sensitivity. Sensitivity to melphalan was usually accompanied by sensitivity to heat, while combined treatment was not only synergistic in most lines but increased the differential between fibroblasts and melanoma cells. Survival studies done at 36, 40, 42 and 44.degree., using human fetal lung fibroblasts and MM253 cells, showed that 42.degree. gave the greatest differential effect and allowed reasonable survival of normal cells. Time-survival comparison of the same 2 lines demonstrated that there was no advantage in prolonging hyperthermia unless melphalan was used. A more convenient method for determination of survival was developed based on thymidine uptake of colonies grown in Linbro wells.

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