Recent Advances in Plasma-Based Cancer Treatments: Approaching Clinical Translation through an Intracellular View

Abstract

Plasma medicine is a multidisciplinary field of research which is combining plasma physics and chemistry with biology and clinical medicine to launch a new cancer treatment modality. It mainly relies on utilizing low temperature plasmas in atmospheric pressure to generate and instill a cocktail of reactive species to selectively target malignant cells for inhibition the cell proliferation and tumor progression. Following a summarized review of primary in vitro and in vivo studies on the antitumor effects of low temperature plasmas, this article briefly outlines the plasma sources which have been developed for cancer therapeutic purposes. Intracellular mechanisms of action and significant pathways behind the anticancer effects of plasma and selectivity toward cancer cells are comprehensively discussed. A thorough understanding of involved mechanisms helps investigators to explicate many disputes including optimal plasma parameters to control the reactive species combination and concentration, transferring plasma to the tumors located in deep, and determining the optimal dose of plasma for specific outcomes in clinical translation. As a novel strategy for cancer therapy in clinical trials, designing low temperature plasma sources which meet the technical requirements of medical devices still needs to improve in efficacy and safety.

Revealing low-temperature plasma efficacy through a dose-rate assessment by DNA damage detection combined with machine learning models

“…S7 ). As expected, this occurred due to more interactions of plasma species, especially radicals with the target 9 . This physical phenomenon showed a linear dependence in a specific time regime, after which a slower accumulation of damage appeared.…”

“…In their applications, LTPs have been integrated into modern strategies for medical treatments in which plasma can act as a unique source of radiation 1 – 3 . The potential of LTPs now extends to the inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus 4 – 6 , in addition to its already proven clinical efficacy in cancer therapy 7 – 9 and wound healing 10 , 11 .…”

“…Therefore, new strategies for the routine determination of delivered plasma doses remain a challenge, and it is an emerging need to translate LTP applications from lab-based research into clinical treatment 3 , 9 , 25 .…”

Plasma-activated medium induces ferroptosis by depleting FSP1 in human lung cancer cells

“…Data represent the mean ± SD from three independent experiments (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001, as determined by t test). Studies have been frequently conducted on the between PAM and apoptosis [50][51][52]. We assumed that PAM may have other anticancer effects and thus explored new pathways associated to ROS.…”

“…Studies have been frequently conducted on the association between PAM and apoptosis [ 50 – 52 ]. We assumed that PAM may have other anticancer effects and thus explored new pathways associated to ROS.…”