Capacitive hyperthermia as an alternative to brachytherapy in DNA damages of human prostate cancer cell line (DU-145)

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was the evaluation of induced DNA damages of human prostate cancer cells, DU-145, treated with a combination of radiofrequency capacitive hyperthermia (HT) and teletherapy (EBRT) compared to a combination of teletherapy with high-dose rate brachytherapy (BR).

Materials and methods: DU-145 cells were cultured as spheroids in 300 micron diameter. Then the following treatments were conducted: (a) EBRT at doses of either 2 Gy or 4 Gy of photon 15 MV, (b) HT for 0, 30, 60, and 90 minutes duration at 43 °C from a 13.56 MHz radiofrequency capacitive heating device (Celsius TCS), (c) BR with Ir-192 seed at doses of either 2 Gy or 5.5 Gy, (d) The mentioned HT followed by EBRT (HT + EBRT) and (e) EBRT followed by BR (EBRT + BR). Alkaline comet assay was performed to measure tail moment.

Results: The induced DNA damages of DU-145 cells treated by adding HT to EBRT compared with EBRT alone, showed a significant enhancement; 3.28 and 5.14 times respectively for 30 and 60 minutes HT. By plotting dose-response curves, we could find a range of doses, which create radiobiological iso-effect in HT + EBRT and EBRT + BR treatments.

Conclusions: This study suggests that about DNA damages of DU-145 cells, HT + EBRT could partly be considered as an alternative to EBRT + BR.

Keywords:

• Prostate cancer
• hyperthermia
• brachytherapy
• teletherapy
• comet assay

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their sincere appreciation to Omid Clinic and Shohadaye Tajrish hospital for their collaboration and facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Seied Rabi Mahdavi

Seied Rabi Mahdavi is an Associate Professor of Medical Physics, Medical Physics Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. He is a Radiation Oncology Physicist. His work focuses on radiobiology, radiation therapy and dosimetry.

Azam Janati Esfahani

Azam Janati Esfahani is an Assistant Professor of Medical Physics, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Qazvin University, Iran. Her work focuses on radiobiology and radiotherapy.

Samideh Khoei

Samideh Khoei is an Professor of Biophysics, Medical Physics Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Her work focuses on radiobiology, cancer research and cell culture.

Mohsen Bakhshandeh

Mohsen Bakhshandeh is an Associate Professor of Medical Physics, Radiation Technology Department, Allied Medical Sciences Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Radiation Oncology Physicist. His work focuses on radiobiology, radiotherapy, brachytherapy.

Ali Rajabi

Ali Rajabi, M.Sc of Radiation Medicine Engineering, Radiation Medicine Engineering Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. His work focuses on brachytherapy.