Femtosecond-laser stimulation induces senescence of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Tumor cells present anti-apoptosis and abnormal proliferation during development. Senescence and stemness of tumor cells play key roles in tumor development and malignancy. In this study, we show the transient stimulation by a single-time scanning of tightly focused femtosecond laser to tumor cells can modulate the stemness and senescence in vitro and in vivo . The laser-induced cellular senescence and stemness present distinct transitions in vitro and in vivo . The cells 1.2 mm deep in tumor tissue are found with significant senescence induced by the transient photostimulations in 100-200 µm shallow layer in vivo , which suppresses the growth of whole tumor in living mice.