Combination of cold atmospheric plasma and iron nanoparticles in breast cancer: gene expression and apoptosis study

BACKGROUND: Current cancer treatments have unexpected side effects of which the death of normal cells is one. In some cancers, iron nanoparticles (NPs) can be subjected to diagnosis and passive targeting treatment. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has a proven induction of selective cell death ability. In this study, we have attempted to analyze the synergy between CAP and iron NPs in human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro cytotoxicity of CAP treatment and NPs in cells measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell death was shown by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and annexin V staining. Fluctuations in BAX and BCL-2 gene expression were investigated by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: MTT assay results showed that combination of plasma and iron NPs decreased the viability of cancer cells significantly (P<0.05). Real-time analysis showed that the combination therapy induced shifting the BAX/BCL-2 ratio in favor of apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that synergy between CAP and iron NPs can be applied in breast cancer treatment selectively.