Research and application of hydrostatic high pressure in tumor vaccines (Review)

Abstract

It is well known that hydrostatic pressure (HP) is a physical parameter that is now regarded as an important variable for life. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) technology has influenced biological systems for more than 100 years. Food and bioscience researchers have shown great interest in HHP technology over the past few decades. The development of knowledge related to this area can better facilitate the application of HHP in the life sciences. Furthermore, new applications for HHP may come from these current studies, particularly in tumor vaccines. Currently, cancer recurrence and metastasis continue to pose a serious threat to human health. The limited efficacy of conventional treatments has led to the need for breakthroughs in immunotherapy and other related areas. Research into tumor vaccines is providing new insights for cancer treatment. The purpose of this review is to present the main findings reported thus far in the relevant scientific literature, focusing on knowledge related to HHP technology and tumor vaccines, and to demonstrate the potential of applying HHP technology to tumor vaccine development.

Research progress in inducing immunogenic cell death of tumor cells

“…In addition, HHP kills tumor cells while retaining many tumor-associated-specific antigens in the TME. These characteristics of HHP therapy indicate its great potential for whole-cell tumor or DC-based tumor vaccine preparation ( 141 ). Whole-cell tumor vaccines prepared using HHP therapy have shown to be effective in clinical trials for multiple myeloma ( 142 ) and renal cell carcinoma ( 143 ).…”

“…Pressures above normal levels can have different effects on cells; for example, hydrostatic pressure <100 MPa slightly affects cell morphology but is not sufficient to cause cell death, that between 100-150 MPa causes cell death in mice, and that >200 MPa affects the viability of human cells, and even causes apoptosis, depending on the type and sensitivity of the cells; At a hydrostatic pressure of >300 MPa, most cells are necrotic. Based on this information, researchers have achieved a pro-apoptotic effect on tumor cells by adjusting hydrostatic pressure, which significantly improved the efficacy of antitumor therapy (140,141). Preclinical studies have used hydrostatic pressure therapy for ovarian, colon, and prostate tumor cells.…”