Plasma-induced selectivity in bone cancer cells death

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology
• Plasma Physics

Background:

• Current bone cancer therapies face limitations in efficacy and implementation.
• Cold atmospheric plasmas show promise as selective anti-tumor agents in other cancers.
• The effect of cold plasma on bone cancer remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the selective anti-cancer effects of atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJ) on osteosarcoma cells.
• To compare the efficacy of direct versus indirect plasma treatment on cancer cells and healthy bone cells.

Main Methods:

• An atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) was used to treat osteosarcoma cells, osteoblasts, and human mesenchymal stem cells.
• Both direct and indirect (medium-treated) plasma exposure methods were evaluated.
• Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed over 72 hours of incubation.

Main Results:

• Indirect plasma treatment of cell culture medium demonstrated comparable cytotoxicity to direct cell exposure.
• Delayed effects were observed, leading to 100% osteosarcoma cell death via apoptosis by 72 hours.
• Healthy cells (osteoblasts and stem cells) remained viable and unaffected by the plasma-treated medium.

Conclusions:

• Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) transmitted from plasma to liquid medium are key to selective osteosarcoma cell death.
• Atmospheric pressure plasma offers a potentially effective and minimally invasive therapeutic strategy for bone cancers.
• This research opens new avenues for treating metastatic bone disease.