Plasma-Activated Medium Inhibited the Proliferation and Migration of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cells in 3D Culture

Lung cancer is the most common type of malignant tumor worldwide. Plasma-activated medium (PAM) is an innovative cancer treatment method that has received considerable scientific attention. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of PAM on the anti-tumor characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures. The effects of PAM treatment on the proliferative and migratory capabilities of A549 cells in 2D and 3D cultures were assessed using MTT, migration, invasion assays, and cell cycle, respectively. The study also investigated the impact of PAM treatment on the changes in the content of intracellular and extracellular reactive species and analyzed protein expression using the Western Blot method. PAM treatment inhibited the viability, migration, and invasion abilities of A549 cells in both 2D and 3D cultures, suppressed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, and downregulated the expression of the RAS/ERK signaling pathway, which effectively inhibited tumor spheroid formation. Additionally, the effect of PAM on A549 cells was mediated through ROS-induced oxidative reactions, and PAM treatment exhibited greater cytotoxicity in 2D culture compared to 3D culture. As compared to 2D, the 3D cell culture model provides a viable in vitro cell model for studying the mechanisms of PAM treatment in lung cancer. PAM represents an effective new treatment for NSCLC.