Selective treatments of prostate tumor cells with a cold atmospheric plasma jet

Background: Application of cold atmospheric plasma to medium generates “plasma-activated medium” that induces apoptosis selectively in tumor cells and that has an antitumor effect in vivo. The underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Objective: Elucidation of potential chemical interactions within plasma-activated medium and of reactions of medium components with specific target structures of tumor cells should allow to define the active principle in plasma activated medium. Methods: Established knowledge of intercellular apoptosis-inducing reactive oxygen/nitrogen species-dependent signaling and its control by membrane-associated catalase and SOD was reviewed. Model experiments using extracellular singlet oxygen were analyzed with respect to catalase inactivation and their relevance for the antitumor action of cold atmospheric plasma. Potential interactions of this tumor cell-specific control system with components of plasma-activated medium or its reaction products were discussed within the scope of the reviewed signaling principles. Results: None of the long-lived species found in plasma-activated medium, such as nitrite and H2O2, nor OCl- or .NO seemed to have the potential to interfere with catalase-dependent control of apoptosis-inducing signaling of tumor cells when acting alone. However, the combination of H2O2 and nitrite might generate peroxynitrite. The protonation of peroxnitrite to peroxynitrous acid allows for the generation of hydroxyl radicals that react with H2O2, leading to the formation of hydroperoxide radicals. These allow for singlet oxygen generation and inactivation of membrane-associated catalase through an autoamplificatory mechanism, followed by intercellular apoptosis-inducing signaling. Conclusion: Nitrite and H2O2 in plasma-activated medium establish singlet oxygen-dependent interference selectively with the control system of tumor cells.

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Tiny Cold Atmospheric Plasma Jet for Biomedical Applications

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9020249 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 249

Author(s):

Zhitong Chen ◽

Richard Obenchain ◽

Richard E. Wirz

Keyword(s):

Biomedical Applications ◽

Plasma Jet ◽

Discharge Voltage ◽

Plasma Jets ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Cold Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Water Metal ◽

Plasma Probe ◽

Jet Nozzle

Conventional plasma jets for biomedical applications tend to have several drawbacks, such as high voltages, high gas delivery, large plasma probe volume, and the formation of discharge within the organ. Therefore, it is challenging to employ these jets inside a living organism’s body. Thus, we developed a single-electrode tiny plasma jet and evaluated its use for clinical biomedical applications. We investigated the effect of voltage input and flow rate on the jet length and studied the physical parameters of the plasma jet, including discharge voltage, average gas and subject temperature, and optical emissions via spectroscopy (OES). The interactions between the tiny plasma jet and five subjects (de-ionized (DI) water, metal, cardboard, pork belly, and pork muscle) were studied at distances of 10 mm and 15 mm from the jet nozzle. The results showed that the tiny plasma jet caused no damage or burning of tissues, and the ROS/RNS (reactive oxygen/nitrogen species) intensity increased when the distance was lowered from 15 mm to 10 mm. These initial observations establish the tiny plasma jet device as a potentially useful tool in clinical biomedical applications.

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