Cold plasma with zirconia nanoparticles for lung cancer via TGF-\b{eta} signaling pathway

TL;DR

This study explores a novel lung cancer therapy combining cold atmospheric plasma and zirconia nanoparticles, which induces cancer cell apoptosis via the TGF-eta pathway, showing potential for clinical application.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new combination therapy of cold plasma and zirconia nanoparticles that effectively induces lung cancer cell apoptosis through TGF-eta signaling.

Findings

Zirconia nanoparticles damage lung cancer cell interiors.

CAP and ZrO2 NPs disrupt mitochondrial function.

The combination activates TGF-eta pathway leading to apoptosis.

Abstract

Despite advancements in lung cancer therapy, the prognosis for advanced or metastatic patients remains poor, yet many patients eventually develop resistance to standard treatments leading to disease progression and poor survival. Here, we described a combination of CAP and nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs (zirconium oxide nanoparticle) and 3Y-TZP NPs (3% mol Yttria Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal Nanoparticle)) for lung cancer therapy. We found that ZrO2 NPs caused obvious damage to the inside of the lung cancer cells. CAP and ZrO2 NPs mainly affected the mitochondria function, leading to a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels, and causing endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell nucleus internal DNA damage, etc. CAP combined with ZrO2 NPs (CAP@ZrO2) induced lung cancer cell apoptosis by activating the TGF-\b{eta} pathway. CAP@ZrO2 offers a new therapy for the clinical treatment of lung cancer.