Low-temperature plasma as magic wand to differentiate between the good and the evil

Area of Science:

• Physics and Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology

Background:

• Plasma, the fourth state of matter, includes ionized gas with ions, electrons, and radicals.
• Low-temperature plasma (LTP), generated since the 1990s, offers potential for biological and medical applications.
• Biological applications of LTP often involve water, leading to plasma-activated lactate (PAL) containing reactive molecules.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of low-temperature plasma (LTP) and plasma-activated lactate (PAL) in cancer therapy.
• To investigate the mechanisms by which LTP and PAL affect cancer cells.
• To evaluate LTP and PAL as supplementary treatments for various cancer types.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing electron spin resonance and immunohistochemical studies to assess oxidative stress induction by LTP.
• Applying direct LTP exposure and PAL to cancer cell models.
• Comparing the effects of LTP and PAL on cancerous versus non-tumorous cells.

Main Results:

• LTP exposure effectively induces local oxidative stress.
• Both direct LTP and PAL demonstrate higher damage to cancer cells compared to non-tumorous cells.
• Cancer cell death occurs via apoptosis or ferroptosis, depending on the cancer type.

Conclusions:

• LTP and PAL represent a novel approach to cancer treatment.
• These plasma-based therapies can be integrated with existing cancer treatment protocols.
• Potential applications include use in somatic cavities and surgical margins for enhanced cancer control.