Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the cytokine profile and head and neck cancer cell behavior: implications for oncological safety

IntroductionThe devitalization of tissue using high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is an advanced method for processing tumor-infiltrated cartilage to treat tissue defects. This approach preserves the structural and biomechanical properties of the graft while effectively eliminating tumor cells. However...

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Main Authors: Julia Kristin Brach, Vivica Freiin Grote, Daniel Strüder, Friederike Kalle, Anika Jonitz-Heincke, Rainer Bader, Marco Hoffmann, Agmal Scherzad, Markus Wirth, Stephan Hackenberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1581014/full
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author Julia Kristin Brach
Julia Kristin Brach
Vivica Freiin Grote
Daniel Strüder
Friederike Kalle
Anika Jonitz-Heincke
Rainer Bader
Marco Hoffmann
Marco Hoffmann
Agmal Scherzad
Markus Wirth
Markus Wirth
Stephan Hackenberg
author_facet Julia Kristin Brach
Julia Kristin Brach
Vivica Freiin Grote
Daniel Strüder
Friederike Kalle
Anika Jonitz-Heincke
Rainer Bader
Marco Hoffmann
Marco Hoffmann
Agmal Scherzad
Markus Wirth
Markus Wirth
Stephan Hackenberg
author_sort Julia Kristin Brach
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe devitalization of tissue using high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is an advanced method for processing tumor-infiltrated cartilage to treat tissue defects. This approach preserves the structural and biomechanical properties of the graft while effectively eliminating tumor cells. However, HHP induces the release of cytokines, which may influence the behavior of residual tumor cells in the surrounding tissue. This study characterizes cytokine profiles of HHP-treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and evaluated its biological effects on intact tumor cells to further assess the oncological safety of the method.Methods and resultsHHP- treatment resulted in a dose-dependent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, primarily IL-1α and IL-1β, in all investigated cell lines, while IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were higher in untreated samples. Functional assays demonstrated that supernatants from HHP-treated HNSCC cells significantly enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cells relative to control conditions, with these effects being most pronounced at 200 MPa, a pressure associated with incomplete tumor cell devitalization. At 300 MPa, HHP achieved complete devitalization, correlating with intensified necrotic processes and increased intracellular cytokine release.DiscussionOur findings indicate that while HHP significantly influences the cytokine profile and tumor cell behavior, pressures of ≥300 MPa ensure complete tumor cell devitalization, supporting its oncological safety for clinical applications. Further in vivo studies are needed to validate these observations and confirm the clinical safety of HHP-treated materials.
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spelling doaj-art-f77e574a690d4aae875fd0b6efcf93c42025-08-20T03:34:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-07-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15810141581014Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the cytokine profile and head and neck cancer cell behavior: implications for oncological safetyJulia Kristin Brach0Julia Kristin Brach1Vivica Freiin Grote2Daniel Strüder3Friederike Kalle4Anika Jonitz-Heincke5Rainer Bader6Marco Hoffmann7Marco Hoffmann8Agmal Scherzad9Markus Wirth10Markus Wirth11Stephan Hackenberg12Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, GermanyCenter for Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, GermanyResearch Laboratory for Biomechanics and Implant Technology, Department of Orthopedics, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, GermanyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery “Otto Körner”, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, GermanyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery “Otto Körner”, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, GermanyResearch Laboratory for Biomechanics and Implant Technology, Department of Orthopedics, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, GermanyResearch Laboratory for Biomechanics and Implant Technology, Department of Orthopedics, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock, GermanyCenter for Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, GermanyDepartment of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, GermanyDepartment of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, GermanyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, GermanyCenter for Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, GermanyDepartment of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, GermanyIntroductionThe devitalization of tissue using high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is an advanced method for processing tumor-infiltrated cartilage to treat tissue defects. This approach preserves the structural and biomechanical properties of the graft while effectively eliminating tumor cells. However, HHP induces the release of cytokines, which may influence the behavior of residual tumor cells in the surrounding tissue. This study characterizes cytokine profiles of HHP-treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and evaluated its biological effects on intact tumor cells to further assess the oncological safety of the method.Methods and resultsHHP- treatment resulted in a dose-dependent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, primarily IL-1α and IL-1β, in all investigated cell lines, while IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were higher in untreated samples. Functional assays demonstrated that supernatants from HHP-treated HNSCC cells significantly enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cells relative to control conditions, with these effects being most pronounced at 200 MPa, a pressure associated with incomplete tumor cell devitalization. At 300 MPa, HHP achieved complete devitalization, correlating with intensified necrotic processes and increased intracellular cytokine release.DiscussionOur findings indicate that while HHP significantly influences the cytokine profile and tumor cell behavior, pressures of ≥300 MPa ensure complete tumor cell devitalization, supporting its oncological safety for clinical applications. Further in vivo studies are needed to validate these observations and confirm the clinical safety of HHP-treated materials.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1581014/fullhigh hydrostatic pressure (HHP)cytokine releasehead and neck cancerwhole cell vaccinationimmune modulationsquamous cell carcinoma
spellingShingle Julia Kristin Brach
Julia Kristin Brach
Vivica Freiin Grote
Daniel Strüder
Friederike Kalle
Anika Jonitz-Heincke
Rainer Bader
Marco Hoffmann
Marco Hoffmann
Agmal Scherzad
Markus Wirth
Markus Wirth
Stephan Hackenberg
Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the cytokine profile and head and neck cancer cell behavior: implications for oncological safety
Frontiers in Immunology
high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)
cytokine release
head and neck cancer
whole cell vaccination
immune modulation
squamous cell carcinoma
title Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the cytokine profile and head and neck cancer cell behavior: implications for oncological safety
title_full Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the cytokine profile and head and neck cancer cell behavior: implications for oncological safety
title_fullStr Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the cytokine profile and head and neck cancer cell behavior: implications for oncological safety
title_full_unstemmed Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the cytokine profile and head and neck cancer cell behavior: implications for oncological safety
title_short Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the cytokine profile and head and neck cancer cell behavior: implications for oncological safety
title_sort impact of high hydrostatic pressure on the cytokine profile and head and neck cancer cell behavior implications for oncological safety
topic high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)
cytokine release
head and neck cancer
whole cell vaccination
immune modulation
squamous cell carcinoma
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1581014/full
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