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Gas Plasma Technology and Immunogenic Cell Death: Implications for Chordoma Treatment
Sander Bekeschus1,2, Karl Roessler3, Oliver Kepp4,5,6
1ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), 17489 Greifswald, Germany.
Abstract:
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in developed societies. Specifically, cancers of the spine and brain come with significant therapeutic challenges. Chordomas are semi-malignant tumors that develop from embryonic residuals at the skull base (clival) or coccyx (sacral). Small tumor fragments can remain in the operation cavities during surgical resection, forming new tumor sites. This requires repeated surgeries or the application of proton-beam radiation and chemotherapy, which often do not lead to complete remission of the tumors. Hence, there is a need for novel therapeutic avenues that are not limited to killing visible tumors but can be applied after surgery to decrease chordoma recurrences. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated locally via novel medical gas plasma technologies are one potential approach to address this clinical problem. Previously, broad-spectrum free radicals generated by these cold physical plasmas operated at about body temperature were shown to oxidize cancer cells to the disadvantage of their growth and induce immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD), ultimately promoting anticancer immunity. This review outlines the clinical challenges of chordoma therapy, how medical gas plasma technology could serve as an adjuvant treatment modality, and potential immune-related mechanisms of action that could extend the longevity of gas plasma therapy beyond its acute local tissue effects.
Insights
Novel medical gas plasma technology generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) to combat chordoma recurrence after surgery. This approach targets residual tumor cells and promotes anti-cancer immunity, offering a new therapeutic avenue.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biophysics
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Chordomas, rare bone cancers, present significant therapeutic challenges due to residual tumor cells post-surgery.
- Current treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy often fail to achieve complete remission, leading to recurrence.
- There is a critical need for adjuvant therapies to prevent chordoma recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore medical gas plasma technology as an adjuvant treatment for chordoma.
- To investigate the potential of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by plasma in treating residual chordoma.
- To understand the immune-related mechanisms underlying plasma-based chordoma therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on chordoma therapy and medical gas plasma applications.
- Discussion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by cold physical plasmas.
- Analysis of plasma-induced cancer cell oxidation and immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD).
Main Results:
- Cold physical plasmas generate broad-spectrum free radicals at body temperature.
- These radicals can oxidize cancer cells, inhibiting growth and inducing immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD).
- Plasma therapy has the potential to promote anticancer immunity.
Conclusions:
- Medical gas plasma technology shows promise as an adjuvant therapy for chordoma.
- Plasma-derived ROS may reduce chordoma recurrence by targeting residual tumor cells.
- The immune-modulating effects of plasma could enhance long-term therapeutic outcomes.
