Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent hematological cancer, with various medical interventions. In the recent decade, cold physical plasma has become an interesting agent for future cancer therapy. The goal of this study was to see whether cold physical plasma or cold physical plasma-treated liquid (PTL) affected integrin beta 3 (ITGB3) expression, which is hypothesized to mediate an interaction between cancer stem cells and the bone marrow microenvironment, in CLL patients' blood cells. The metabolic activity, cell death pattern, lipid oxidation and ITGB3 gene expression of these treatments was evaluated. Both direct cold physical plasma and PTL exposure enhanced lipid peroxidation in cells of CLL patients, but to a lesser extent in healthy participants. Furthermore, following 48h of cold physical plasma or PTL exposure, the metabolic activity of leukocytes was preferentially reduced in CLL patient leukocytes. In addition, cold physical plasma and PTL treatment elevated ITGB3 mRNA expression in CLL patients' leukocytes compared to untreated and healthy controls. Collectively, our study suggests selective effects of direct cold physical plasma and PTL exposure on blood leukocytes from leukemia patients, but further and more detailed studies are needed to provide additional rationales for such treatment options as future therapy.