Cold atmospheric plasma sensitizes head and neck cancer to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade therapy

• DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102991
• Publication Date: 2023-12-15T20:58:08Z
• Authors: Yanhong Wang; Xinyu Mang; Danni Li; Zhao Wang; Yiliang Chen; Zhenyu Cai; Fei Tan
• Keywords: Immune checkpoint

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most prevalent globally, often characterized by chemo-resistance immunosuppression, which significantly hampers treatment efficacy. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has recently emerged as a promising adjuvant oncotherapy with substantial potential advantages. In this study, Piezobrush® PZ2, handheld CAP unit based on piezoelectric direct discharge technology, was used to generate deliver non-thermal plasma. We aimed investigate effects of CAPPZ2 various types HNC cells elucidate underlying mechanisms. addition, we endeavored examine efficacy combining chemotherapy drugs (i.e., cisplatin) or immune checkpoint blockade (ICB, i.e., PD1 antibody) in treatment. Firstly, results demonstrated that exerted anti-neoplastic functions through inhibiting cell proliferation, migration invasion, promoting apoptosis autophagy. Secondly, using transcriptomic sequencing, Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, mechanisms vitro presumed be multitargeted major survival pathways, such redox balance, glycolysis, PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1α signaling. Lastly, combinatorial thearpy containing cisplatin PD-1 antibody suppressed tumor growth prolonged recipient vivo. Collectively, synergistic could serve solution enhance head elimination.