Modeling Gas Plasma-Tissue Interactions in 3D Collagen-Based Hydrogel Cancer Cell Cultures

Gas plasma jet technology was recently identified as a potential adjuvant in the fight against cancer. Here, the partial ionization of gas yields the local formation of an exceptional variety of highly reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species, which are considered the main actors of plasma-induced antitumor effects. Yet, fundamental knowledge in preclinical plasma research relies on the predominant use of two-dimensional cell culture systems, despite causing significant shifts in redox chemistries that largely limit translational relevance. So far, the intricacy of studying complex plasma–tissue interactions causes substantial knowledge gaps concerning the key mechanisms and therapeutical limitations of plasma treatment in a living organism. Identifying physiologically relevant yet simplified tissue models is vital to address such questions. In our study, a side-by-side comparison of conventional and pre-established hydrogel models emphasized this discrepancy, revealing a marked difference in plasma-induced toxicity related to species distribution dynamics. Chemically embedded, fluorescent reporters were further used to characterize reactive species’ fingerprints in hydrogels compared to liquids. In addition, a thirteen cell-line screening outlined the widespread applicability of the approach while indicating the need to optimize growth conditions dependent on the cell line investigated. Overall, our study presents important implications for the implementation of clinically relevant tissue culture models in preclinical plasma medicine in the future.