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Berner J, Miebach L, Kordt M, Seebauer C, Schmidt A, Lalk M, Vollmar B, Metelmann HR, Bekeschus S. Chronic oxidative stress adaptation in head and neck cancer cells generates slow-cyclers with decreased tumour growth in vivo. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:869-883. [PMID: 37460712 PMCID: PMC10449771 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in cancer therapy and as drivers of microenvironmental tumour cell adaptations. Medical gas plasma is a multi-ROS generating technology that has been shown effective for palliative tumour control in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients before tumour cells adapted to the oxidative stress and growth regressed fatally. METHODS In a bedside-to-bench approach, we sought to explore the oxidative stress adaptation in two human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Gas plasma was utilised as a putative therapeutic agent and chronic oxidative stress inducer. RESULTS Cellular responses of single and multiple treated cells were compared regarding sensitivity, cellular senescence, redox state and cytokine release. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed a strong correlation of cancer cell adaption with increased interleukin 1 receptor type 2 (IL1R2) expression. Using magnetic resonance imaging, tumour growth and gas plasma treatment responses of wild-type (WT) and repeatedly exposed (RE) A431 cells were further investigated in a xenograft model in vivo. RE cells generated significantly smaller tumours with suppressed inflammatory secretion profiles and increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activity showing significantly lower gas plasma sensitivity until day 8. CONCLUSIONS Clinically, combination treatments together with cetuximab, an EGFR inhibitor, may overcome acquired oxidative stress resistance in HNC.
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Grants
- This study was funded by the joint research project ONKOTHER-H is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF, grant numbers ESF/14-BM-A55-0003/18, ESF/14-BM-A55-0005/18, and ESF/14-BM-A55-0006/18) and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, as well as the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, grant numbers 03Z22DN11 and 03Z22Di1).
- This study was funded by the joint research project ONKOTHER-H is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF, grant numbers ESF/14-BM-A55-0005/18).
- Gerhard-Domagk-Foundation Greifswald (Germany).
- This study was funded by the joint research project ONKOTHER-H is supported by the European Social Fund (ESF, grant numbers ESF/14-BM-A55-0003/18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Berner
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial, and Plastic Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Lea Miebach
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marcel Kordt
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christian Seebauer
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial, and Plastic Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anke Schmidt
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Michael Lalk
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Hans-Robert Metelmann
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial, and Plastic Surgery, Greifswald University Medical Center, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
- Clinic and Policlinic for Dermatology and Venerology, Rostock University Medical Center, Strempelstr. 13, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
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Modeling Gas Plasma-Tissue Interactions in 3D Collagen-Based Hydrogel Cancer Cell Cultures. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10030367. [PMID: 36978758 PMCID: PMC10045726 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10030367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Gas plasma jet technology was recently identified as a potential adjuvant in the fight against cancer. Here, the partial ionization of gas yields the local formation of an exceptional variety of highly reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species, which are considered the main actors of plasma-induced antitumor effects. Yet, fundamental knowledge in preclinical plasma research relies on the predominant use of two-dimensional cell culture systems, despite causing significant shifts in redox chemistries that largely limit translational relevance. So far, the intricacy of studying complex plasma–tissue interactions causes substantial knowledge gaps concerning the key mechanisms and therapeutical limitations of plasma treatment in a living organism. Identifying physiologically relevant yet simplified tissue models is vital to address such questions. In our study, a side-by-side comparison of conventional and pre-established hydrogel models emphasized this discrepancy, revealing a marked difference in plasma-induced toxicity related to species distribution dynamics. Chemically embedded, fluorescent reporters were further used to characterize reactive species’ fingerprints in hydrogels compared to liquids. In addition, a thirteen cell-line screening outlined the widespread applicability of the approach while indicating the need to optimize growth conditions dependent on the cell line investigated. Overall, our study presents important implications for the implementation of clinically relevant tissue culture models in preclinical plasma medicine in the future.
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Bekeschus S, Saadati F, Emmert S. The potential of gas plasma technology for targeting breast cancer. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1022. [PMID: 35994412 PMCID: PMC9394754 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite therapeutic improvements in recent years, breast cancer remains an often fatal disease. In addition, breast cancer ulceration may occur during late stages, further complicating therapeutic or palliative interventions. In the past decade, a novel technology received significant attention in the medical field: gas plasma. This topical treatment relies on the partial ionization of gases that simultaneously produce a plethora of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). Such local ROS/RNS overload inactivates tumour cells in a non-necrotic manner and was recently identified to induce immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD). ICD promotes dendritic cell maturation and amplifies antitumour immunity capable of targeting breast cancer metastases. Gas plasma technology was also shown to provide additive toxicity in combination with radio and chemotherapy and re-sensitized drug-resistant breast cancer cells. This work outlines the assets of gas plasma technology as a novel tool for targeting breast cancer by summarizing the action of plasma devices, the roles of ROS, signalling pathways, modes of cell death, combination therapies and immunological consequences of gas plasma exposure in breast cancer cells in vitro, in vivo, and in patient-derived microtissues ex vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK plasmatisLeibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP)GreifswaldGermany
| | - Fariba Saadati
- ZIK plasmatisLeibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP)GreifswaldGermany
- Clinic and Policlinic for Dermatology and VenereologyRostock University Medical CenterRostockGermany
| | - Steffen Emmert
- Clinic and Policlinic for Dermatology and VenereologyRostock University Medical CenterRostockGermany
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Cold Physical Plasma in Cancer Therapy: Mechanisms, Signaling, and Immunity. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:9916796. [PMID: 35284036 PMCID: PMC8906949 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9916796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in therapy, cancer still is a devastating and life-threatening disease, motivating novel research lines in oncology. Cold physical plasma, a partially ionized gas, is a new modality in cancer research. Physical plasma produces various physicochemical factors, primarily reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), causing cancer cell death when supplied at supraphysiological concentrations. This review outlines the biomedical consequences of plasma treatment in experimental cancer therapy, including cell death modalities. It also summarizes current knowledge on intracellular signaling pathways triggered by plasma treatment to induce cancer cell death. Besides the inactivation of tumor cells, an equally important aspect is the inflammatory context in which cell death occurs to suppress or promote the responses of immune cells. This is mainly governed by the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to provoke immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD) that, in turn, activates cells of the innate immune system to promote adaptive antitumor immunity. The pivotal role of the immune system in cancer treatment, in general, is highlighted by many clinical trials and success stories on using checkpoint immunotherapy. Hence, the potential of plasma treatment to induce ICD in tumor cells to promote immunity targeting cancer lesions systemically is also discussed.
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Abstract
This Special Issue, entitled “Plasma Medicine Technologies”, covers the latest remarkable developments in the field of plasma bioscience and medicine. Plasma medicine is an interdisciplinary field that combines the principles of plasma physics, material science, bioscience, and medicine, towards the development of therapeutic strategies. A study on plasma medicine has yielded the development of new treatment opportunities in medical and dental sciences. An important aspect of this issue is the presentation of research underlying new therapeutic methods that are useful in medicine, dentistry, sterilization, and, in the current scenario, that challenge perspectives in biomedical sciences. This issue is focused on basic research on the characterization of the bioplasma sources applicable to living cells, especially to the human body, and fundamental research on the mutual interactions between bioplasma and organic–inorganic liquids, and bio or nanomaterials.
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Bekeschus S, Clemen R, Haralambiev L, Niessner F, Grabarczyk P, Weltmann KD, Menz J, Stope M, von Woedtke T, Gandhirajan R, Schmidt A. The Plasma-Induced Leukemia Cell Death is Dictated by the ROS Chemistry and the HO-1/CXCL8 Axis. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON RADIATION AND PLASMA MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1109/trpms.2020.3020686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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