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Treating Surfaces with a Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma using the COST-Jet
Published on: November 2, 2020
Targeting the cancer cell cycle by cold atmospheric plasma
O Volotskova1, T S Hawley, M A Stepp
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA. olyanv@gwu.edu
Scientific Reports
|September 8, 2012
Summary
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) shows promise as a cancer therapy. CAP treatment increases cancer cell arrest in the G2/M phase and damages S-phase cells, suggesting higher susceptibility in tumorigenic cells.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cancer Biology
- Plasma Medicine
Background:
- Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an emerging technology for cancer therapy.
- Its precise mechanism of action, especially regarding cancer cell selectivity, requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism underlying CAP's effect on cancer cells.
- To explore the differential sensitivity of cancer cells to CAP treatment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two distinct cancer cell lines with varying tumorigenicity.
- Assessed cell cycle distribution (G2/M phase) and DNA damage (γH2A.X expression).
- Measured DNA synthesis (EdU incorporation) post-CAP treatment.
Main Results:
- CAP treatment induced a significant ~2-fold increase in G2/M phase arrest in cancer cells.
- Enhanced expression of γH2A.X was observed in S-phase cells, indicating DNA damage.
- A notable decrease in EdU incorporation suggested impaired DNA synthesis.
Conclusions:
- Cancer cells exhibit increased susceptibility to CAP treatment.
- Differential cell cycle distribution and induced S-phase damage contribute to CAP's selective action.
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