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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
Published on: June 7, 2019
Toxicity and Immunogenicity in Murine Melanoma following Exposure to Physical Plasma-Derived Oxidants
Sander Bekeschus1, Katrin Rödder1, Bob Fregin2
1ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.
Abstract:
Metastatic melanoma is an aggressive and deadly disease. Therapeutic advance has been achieved by antitumor chemo- and radiotherapy. These modalities involve the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, affecting cellular viability, migration, and immunogenicity. Such species are also created by cold physical plasma, an ionized gas capable of redox modulating cells and tissues without thermal damage. Cold plasma has been suggested for anticancer therapy. Here, melanoma cell toxicity, motility, and immunogenicity of murine metastatic melanoma cells were investigated following plasma exposure in vitro. Cells were oxidized by plasma, leading to decreased metabolic activity and cell death. Moreover, plasma decelerated melanoma cell growth, viability, and cell cycling. This was accompanied by increased cellular stiffness and upregulation of zonula occludens 1 protein in the cell membrane. Importantly, expression levels of immunogenic cell surface molecules such as major histocompatibility complex I, calreticulin, and melanocortin receptor 1 were significantly increased in response to plasma. Finally, plasma treatment significantly decreased the release of vascular endothelial growth factor, a molecule with importance in angiogenesis. Altogether, these results suggest beneficial toxicity of cold plasma in murine melanomas with a concomitant immunogenicity of potential interest in oncology.
Insights
Cold plasma effectively reduced melanoma cell viability and growth by generating reactive species. This innovative therapy also enhanced melanoma cell immunogenicity, offering potential new avenues for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Metastatic melanoma is an aggressive cancer with limited therapeutic options.
- Current treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy generate reactive species, impacting cell functions.
- Cold physical plasma, an ionized gas, can modulate cells via redox reactions without thermal damage and is explored for cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of cold plasma on melanoma cell toxicity, motility, and immunogenicity in vitro.
- To assess the potential of cold plasma as an anticancer therapy for metastatic melanoma.
Main Methods:
- Murine metastatic melanoma cells were exposed to cold plasma in vitro.
- Cellular viability, metabolic activity, migration, cell cycling, and stiffness were analyzed.
- Expression of immunogenic cell surface molecules (MHC I, calreticulin, MC1R) was measured.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release was quantified.
Main Results:
- Plasma exposure led to decreased metabolic activity and cell death in melanoma cells.
- Cold plasma reduced melanoma cell growth, viability, and cell cycling, increasing cellular stiffness.
- Expression of key immunogenic molecules (MHC I, calreticulin, MC1R) was significantly upregulated.
- Plasma treatment decreased vascular endothelial growth factor release, impacting angiogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Cold plasma exhibits beneficial toxicity against murine metastatic melanoma cells in vitro.
- Plasma treatment enhances melanoma cell immunogenicity, suggesting potential therapeutic applications in oncology.
- Cold plasma represents a promising, non-thermal approach for melanoma treatment by modulating cellular redox and immune signaling.
