Gas Plasma Combination Therapies-Promises from Preclinical Oncology Research

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biophysics
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Cancer mortality rates are not declining due to limited treatment effectiveness and tumor cell resistance.
• Combination cancer treatments are crucial in modern oncology to overcome treatment failures.
• Physical modalities like radiotherapy are established components of combination cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of cold gas plasma as an anticancer agent.
• To summarize the mechanisms of action for cold gas plasma in cancer treatment.
• To identify promising combination therapies involving cold gas plasma within current treatment guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing research on cold gas plasma in cancer models and patient treatments.
• Analysis of the bioactive components emitted by cold gas plasma, including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS).
• Evaluation of cold gas plasma's effects on tumor cell vulnerabilities in metabolic and redox pathways.

Main Results:

• Cold gas plasma emits multiple ROS/RNS, uniquely targeting tumor cell redox signaling.
• Studies in various cancer models demonstrate favorable outcomes with cold gas plasma monotherapy and combination therapy.
• Early clinical applications show patient benefits from cold gas plasma therapy.

Conclusions:

• Cold gas plasma is a promising physical modality for cancer treatment.
• Its multi-ROS/RNS nature offers a unique mechanism to combat tumor cell resistance.
• Cold gas plasma may serve as a valuable (neo)adjuvant therapy to enhance current oncological treatment efficacy.