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Updated: Apr 27, 2026
Basic Research in Plasma Medicine - A Throughput Approach from Liquids to Cells
Published on: November 17, 2017
Non-thermal plasmas: novel preventive and curative therapy against melanomas?
1Institut Curie, Normal and Pathological Development of Melanocytes, Orsay, France; CNRS UMR3347, Orsay, France; INSERM U1021, Orsay, France; Equipe labellisée - Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Orsay, France; University of Paris-Sud, Orsay, France.
Abstract:
Malignant melanoma is a very aggressive cancer with a very poor short-term prognosis once metastatic. For years, there was no efficient adjuvant therapy after surgery. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy provided hope, but not victory. Further efforts are therefore required, to find new ways to cure this disease. Physics has, once again, opened up new possibilities for treatment, through the use of non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP). The curative potential of this technique was initially assessed on cancer cells, among which melanoma. In a recent issue, Yajima et al. use NEAPP on benign nevi, as a preventive treatment.
Insights
Non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP) shows promise for treating melanoma. This physics-based approach is being explored for its potential in preventing cancer recurrence after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Plasma Physics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Malignant melanoma is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis, especially after metastasis.
- Adjuvant therapies post-surgery have historically been limited, with chemotherapy and immunotherapy offering incomplete solutions.
- New therapeutic strategies are crucial for improving outcomes in melanoma treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP) as a novel treatment modality for melanoma.
- To assess the efficacy of NEAPP in a preventive context for pre-cancerous lesions.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP) technology.
- Application of NEAPP on melanoma cells to evaluate curative potential.
- Investigating NEAPP application on benign nevi as a preventive measure.
Main Results:
- NEAPP demonstrated initial curative potential against melanoma cancer cells.
- Yajima et al. recently applied NEAPP to benign nevi, exploring its preventive capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP) presents a novel physics-based approach for cancer therapy.
- Further research into NEAPP for melanoma treatment and prevention is warranted.
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