Use of cold atmospheric plasma in the treatment of cancer

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an emerging modality for the treatment of solid tumors. In-vitro experiments have demonstrated that with increasing doses of plasma, tumor cells assays display decreased cell viability. CAP is theorized to induce tumor cells into apoptosis via multiple pathways including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as well as cell cycle disruption. Studies have shown CAP treatment can decrease mouse model glioblastoma multiforme tumor volume by 56%, increase life span by 60%, and maintain up to 85% viability of normal cells. Emerging evidence suggests that CAP is a viable in-vivo treatment for a number of tumors, including glioblastoma, as it appears to selectively induce tumor cell death while noncancerous cells remain viable. (C) 2015 American Vacuum Society.