Biophysical Interpretation of the Dependence of Synergy on the Intensity of Applied Agents

Abstract

This review analyzes the general patterns of synergism, whose manifestation under the simultaneous actions of various agents does not depend on the biological objects and the effect being analyzed. The existence of an optimum temperature that provides the maximum synergy for simultaneous application of hyperthermia with various physical or chemical agents is demonstrated. Examples of the dependence of synergism on the intensity of electromagnetic radiation applied simultaneously with a fixed elevated temperature are given. It is shown that the synergistic effect of interaction of these factors with hyperthermia increases as the intensity of applied agents increases, reaches a maximum, and then decreases. A biophysical interpretation of this original dependence of synergism on the intensity of the used agents is suggested. This interpretation is based on the idea that the formation of additional lethal changes as a result of the interaction of sub-lesions underlies the mechanism of synergistic interaction.