Heat shock induces the cellular antioxidant defenses peroxiredoxin, glutathione and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase through Nrf2.

Hyperthermia is a promising anticancer treatment used in combination with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Heat (42-45 °C) can kill cancer cells. Low doses of heat at milder temperatures (39-41 °C) induce thermotolerance, an adaptive survival response that upregulates defense molecules to protect cells against subsequent exposure to toxic stress.