Preclinical Cold Atmospheric Plasma Cancer Treatment.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Plasma Physics
• Oncology

Background:

• Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an ionized gas at near-room temperature with reactive species.
• CAP exhibits potential in medical applications like sterilization, wound healing, and cancer therapy.
• While in vitro studies are abundant, preclinical in vivo research is crucial for clinical translation of CAP cancer treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the research status of preclinical (in vivo) applications of CAP in cancer treatment over the last decade.
• To summarize key research strategies employed in preclinical and clinical CAP cancer therapy.
• To discuss the underlying mechanisms of CAP's anti-cancer effects.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on in vivo studies of CAP for cancer treatment published in the past 10 years.
• Categorization of research strategies including transdermal, post-surgical, CAP-activated solutions, and drug sensitization.
• Analysis of reported mechanisms of action for CAP in cancer therapy.

Main Results:

• Hundreds of in vitro studies demonstrate CAP's efficacy against cancer.
• Preclinical in vivo studies are essential for advancing CAP cancer therapy towards clinical application.
• Identified strategies include direct transdermal application, post-surgical treatment, use of CAP-activated solutions, and combination therapy.

Conclusions:

• Preclinical in vivo studies are critical for the clinical translation of cold atmospheric plasma in cancer treatment.
• Various strategies are being explored to leverage CAP's therapeutic potential in oncology.
• Further research into the mechanisms of action will refine CAP-based cancer therapies.