Protherapeutic Effects and Inactivation of Mammary Carcinoma Cells by a Medical Argon Plasma Device

Abstract

Background/aim: Mammary carcinoma (MC) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the female population worldwide. Cold physical plasma at atmospheric pressure (CAP) has an antioncogenic effect on tumor cells, and its anticancer properties may complement or even extend existing treatment options. In the present study, the efficacy of CAP was characterized on an MC in vitro cell culture system.

Materials and methods: MC cells (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) were directly treated with CAP or incubated with CAP-treated cell culture medium. Cell growth, cell mobility and apoptosis were subsequently analyzed.

Results: A single treatment of MC cells with CAP and CAP treated medium led to a treatment-time dependent reduction of cell growth. Furthermore, CAP exposure led to a loss of cellular motility and induced apoptosis.

Conclusion: Due to its anticancer properties, CAP treatment is an innovative and promising physical approach to expand and complement the treatment options for MC. In particular, a combination of CAP application with surgical and/or chemotherapeutic interventions might significantly improve the therapeutic outcomes.

Keywords: Plasma oncology; cold atmospheric plasma; mammary carcinoma; physical therapy; plasma surgery.