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Updated: Jun 19, 2025
Author Spotlight: Non-Surgical Treatment of Melasma– Microneedling with Tranexamic Acid
Published on: January 19, 2024
Plasma-generated RONS in liquid transferred into cryo-microneedles patch for skin treatment of melanoma
Jishen Zhang1, Tong Wu2, Zifeng Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Centre for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an City, 710049, People's Republic of China; Interdisciplinary Research Center of Frontier Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an City, 710049, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Malignant melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer. As a promising anti-cancer agent, plasma-activated water (PAW) rich in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) has shown significant potential for melanoma treatment. However, rapid decay of RONS and inefficient delivery of PAW in conventional injection methods limit its practical applications. To address this issue, here we report a new approach for the production of plasma-activated cryo-microneedles (PA-CMNs) patches using custom-designed plasma devices and processes. Our innovation is to incorporate PAW into the PA-CMNs that are fabricated using a fast cryogenic micro-molding method. It is demonstrated that PA-CMNs can be easily inserted into skin to release RONS and slow the decay of RONS thereby prolonging their bioactivity and effectiveness. The new insights into the effective melanoma treatment suggest that the rich mixture of RONS within PA-CMNs prepared by custom-developed hybrid plasma-assisted configuration induces both ferroptosis and apoptosis to selectively kill tumor cells. A significant inhibition of subcutaneous A375 melanoma growth was observed in PA-CMNs-treated tumor-bearing nude mice without any signs of systemic toxicity. The new approach based on PA-CMNs may potentially open new avenues for a broader range of disease treatments.
Insights
Plasma-activated cryo-microneedles (PA-CMNs) offer a novel method for melanoma treatment. These microneedles effectively deliver reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) to induce tumor cell death and inhibit melanoma growth.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Plasma Physics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Malignant melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with limited treatment options.
- Plasma-activated water (PAW), rich in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), shows promise for melanoma therapy.
- Challenges include rapid RONS decay and inefficient delivery of PAW.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop plasma-activated cryo-microneedles (PA-CMNs) for improved melanoma treatment.
- To overcome limitations of conventional PAW delivery methods.
- To investigate the anti-cancer mechanisms of PA-CMNs in melanoma.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PA-CMNs using custom plasma devices and cryogenic micro-molding.
- Incorporation of PAW into microneedle structures for sustained RONS release.
- In vivo evaluation of PA-CMNs efficacy in a murine melanoma model (A375).
Main Results:
- PA-CMNs demonstrated prolonged RONS bioactivity and effectiveness upon skin insertion.
- PA-CMNs induced both ferroptosis and apoptosis, leading to selective tumor cell death.
- Significant inhibition of subcutaneous melanoma growth was observed in vivo.
- No systemic toxicity was detected in treated animals.
Conclusions:
- PA-CMNs represent an effective and safe approach for melanoma treatment.
- This novel delivery system enhances RONS stability and therapeutic efficacy.
- PA-CMNs hold potential for broader applications in disease treatment.
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