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Updated: Oct 12, 2025
Basic Research in Plasma Medicine - A Throughput Approach from Liquids to Cells
Published on: November 17, 2017
Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Epigenetic Changes, DNA Damage, and Possibilities for Its Use in Synergistic
Dušan Braný1, Dana Dvorská1, Ján Strnádel1
1Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia.
Abstract:
Cold atmospheric plasma has great potential for use in modern medicine. It has been used in the clinical treatment of skin diseases and chronic wounds, and in laboratory settings it has shown effects on selective decrease in tumour-cell viability, reduced tumour mass in animal models and stem-cell proliferation. Many researchers are currently focusing on its application to internal structures and the use of plasma-activated liquids in tolerated and effective human treatment. There has also been analysis of plasma's beneficial synergy with standard pharmaceuticals to enhance their effect. Cold atmospheric plasma triggers various responses in tumour cells, and this can result in epigenetic changes in both DNA methylation levels and histone modification. The expression and activity of non-coding RNAs with their many important cell regulatory functions can also be altered by cold atmospheric plasma action. Finally, there is ongoing debate whether plasma-produced radicals can directly affect DNA damage in the nucleus or only initiate apoptosis or other forms of cell death. This article therefore summarises accepted knowledge of cold atmospheric plasma's influence on epigenetic changes, the expression and activity of non-coding RNAs, and DNA damage and its effect in synergistic treatment with routinely used pharmaceuticals.
Insights
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) shows promise in medicine, affecting tumor cells and enhancing drug efficacy. Research explores its impact on epigenetics, non-coding RNAs, and DNA damage for novel cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is emerging as a significant tool in modern medicine.
- CAP has demonstrated efficacy in treating skin conditions, chronic wounds, and in laboratory settings reducing tumor cell viability and mass.
- Current research focuses on internal applications and plasma-activated liquids for human treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the established knowledge on CAP's effects on epigenetic modifications, non-coding RNA activity, and DNA damage.
- To review the synergistic effects of CAP with conventional pharmaceuticals for enhanced therapeutic outcomes.
- To address the ongoing debate regarding direct DNA damage versus apoptosis induction by plasma-generated radicals.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cold atmospheric plasma applications in medicine and cancer research.
- Analysis of studies investigating CAP's influence on cellular mechanisms, including epigenetics and non-coding RNAs.
- Examination of research on CAP's interaction with DNA and its role in cell death pathways.
Main Results:
- CAP induces various responses in tumor cells, leading to epigenetic alterations like changes in DNA methylation and histone modification.
- The expression and activity of non-coding RNAs, crucial for cell regulation, are modulated by CAP.
- Evidence suggests CAP can influence DNA damage, though the precise mechanism (direct damage vs. apoptosis induction) is under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Cold atmospheric plasma offers a versatile platform for therapeutic interventions, particularly in oncology.
- Understanding CAP's molecular mechanisms, including epigenetic and non-coding RNA modulation, is key to optimizing its clinical use.
- Further research into CAP's synergistic potential with pharmaceuticals and its precise effects on DNA damage will advance its application in human treatments.
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