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Published on: January 22, 2013
Pleiotropic Devitalization of Renal Cancer Cells by Non-Invasive Physical Plasma: Characterization of Molecular and
Andreas Nitsch1, Caroline Sander2, Benedikt Eggers3
1Department of Trauma, Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
Abstract:
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the third most common urological tumor and has an extremely poor prognosis after metastasis has occurred. Therapeutic options are highly restricted, primarily due to resistance to classical chemotherapeutics. The development of new, innovative therapeutic procedures is thus of great urgency. In the present study, the influence of non-invasive physical plasma (NIPP) on malignant and non-malignant renal cells is characterized. The biological efficacy of NIPP has been demonstrated in malignant renal cell lines (786-O, Caki-1) and non-malignant primary human renal epithelial cells (HREpC). The cell responses that were experimentally examined were cell growth (cell number determination, calculation of growth rate and doubling time), cell motility (scratch assay, invasiveness assay), membrane integrity (uptake of fluorescent dye, ATP release), and induction of apoptosis (TUNEL assay, caspase-3/7 assay, comet assay). A single NIPP treatment of the malignant cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, invasiveness, and metastasis. This treatment has been attributed to the disruption of membrane functionality and the induction of apoptotic mechanisms. Comparison of NIPP sensitivity of malignant 786-O and Caki-1 cells with non-malignant HREpC cells showed significant differences. Our results suggest that renal cancer cells are significantly more sensitive to NIPP than non-malignant renal cells. Treatment with NIPP could represent a promising innovative option for the therapy of RCC and might supplement established treatment procedures. Of high clinical relevance would be the chemo-sensitizing properties of NIPP, which could potentially allow a combination of NIPP treatment with low-dose chemotherapy.
Insights
Non-invasive physical plasma (NIPP) effectively targets renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells, inhibiting growth and metastasis. This innovative therapy shows greater sensitivity in cancer cells than normal cells, offering a promising new treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presents a poor prognosis post-metastasis, with limited therapeutic options due to chemotherapy resistance.
- Innovative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for advanced RCC.
- Non-invasive physical plasma (NIPP) is being explored for its biological effects on cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of non-invasive physical plasma (NIPP) on malignant and non-malignant renal cells.
- To characterize the cellular responses of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to NIPP treatment.
- To compare the sensitivity of malignant versus non-malignant renal cells to NIPP.
Main Methods:
- Malignant renal cell lines (786-O, Caki-1) and non-malignant human renal epithelial cells (HREpC) were treated with NIPP.
- Evaluated effects on cell proliferation, motility (invasiveness), membrane integrity, and apoptosis.
- Assays included cell counting, scratch and invasiveness assays, fluorescent dye uptake, ATP release, TUNEL, caspase-3/7, and comet assays.
Main Results:
- A single NIPP treatment significantly inhibited proliferation, invasiveness, and metastasis of malignant renal cells.
- NIPP induced apoptosis and disrupted membrane functionality in cancer cells.
- Malignant renal cells exhibited significantly higher sensitivity to NIPP compared to non-malignant HREpC cells.
Conclusions:
- Non-invasive physical plasma (NIPP) demonstrates significant anti-cancer effects on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells.
- NIPP presents a promising, innovative therapeutic option for RCC, potentially enhancing established treatments.
- NIPP's chemo-sensitizing properties may enable combination therapy with reduced chemotherapy doses.
