Key indexes and the emerging tool for tumor microenvironment editing

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biophysics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Current cancer therapies, including immunotherapies, often face limitations in efficacy when targeting tumors directly.
• The tumor microenvironment significantly influences tumor progression and response to treatment.
• Understanding tumor microenvironment's role opens new avenues for cancer management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review key factors of the tumor microenvironment.
• To introduce cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) as a tool for tumor microenvironment modulation.
• To explore CAP's potential as an onco-therapeutic strategy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review identifying critical tumor microenvironment indexes.
• Discussion of cold atmospheric plasma composition and properties.
• Analysis of CAP's proposed mechanisms in modulating the tumor microenvironment.

Main Results:

• Key tumor microenvironment indexes identified: hypoxia, acidosis, hypo-nutrition, and inflammation.
• Cold atmospheric plasma, rich in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, is proposed as a therapeutic tool.
• CAP demonstrates potential for tumor microenvironment editing.

Conclusions:

• Cold atmospheric plasma is a promising strategy for cancer management.
• CAP can be used as a standalone therapy or as an adjuvant to enhance existing treatments like immunotherapy.
• CAP's multi-modal action via tumor microenvironment modulation offers a novel onco-therapeutic approach.