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The Strong Cell-based Hydrogen Peroxide Generation Triggered by Cold Atmospheric Plasma
Dayun Yan1, Haitao Cui2, Wei Zhu2
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Science & Engineering Hall, 800 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA. ydy2012@gwmail.gwu.edu.
Scientific Reports
|September 9, 2017
Summary
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment stimulates cancer cells to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This previously unknown cellular response may enhance cancer treatment by activating immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Plasma Physics
Background:
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a key signaling molecule in cancer.
- Cancer cells rarely secrete significant amounts of H2O2.
- Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is being explored for cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if CAP treatment induces H2O2 generation in cancer cells.
- To understand the factors influencing CAP-induced H2O2 production.
- To explore the implications of this cellular response for cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Directly treating breast cancer and pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells with CAP.
- Measuring H2O2 levels after CAP exposure.
- Analyzing the effects of medium volume, cell confluence, and discharge voltage.
Main Results:
- CAP treatment induced micromolar levels of H2O2 in cancer cells within one minute.
- H2O2 generation was dependent on medium volume, cell confluence, and CAP discharge voltage.
- This represents a novel cellular response to CAP.
Conclusions:
- CAP can stimulate cancer cells to produce endogenous H2O2.
- This H2O2 production is a new cellular response to CAP.
- This finding offers a new perspective on CAP-cell interactions and potential therapeutic strategies involving H2O2-mediated immune activation.
