Biomedical Applications of Cold Atmospheric Plasma: Cancer Therapy and Virus Inactivation

Abstract

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), known for its ability to generate Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS), has emerged as a promising tool in many biomedical applications, including cancer therapeutics and virus inactivation. In cancer therapy, ROS and RNS induced by plasma have been shown to selectively target cancer cells, triggering apoptosis and inhibiting tumor growth while sparing healthy cells. This selective cytotoxicity makes plasma an attractive option for localized cancer treatment with minimal side effects. Additionally, the antimicrobial properties of ROS and RNS make plasma an effective agent for virus inactivation. By connecting the dots between cancer therapy and virus disinfection, this review paper sheds light on the potential of plasma-generated ROS and RNS as versatile tools in medical applications, offering a dual benefit of targeted cancer treatment and effective virus control. Specifically, this review explores the effects of CAP treatment on B16 melanoma cells, assessing changes in cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis and oxidative stress response. Dichloroacetate (DCA), a mitochondrial modulator, has shown promise in inducing apoptosis in melanoma cells. However, its clinical use is limited by side effects related to its neurotoxicity and suspected carcinogenicity. The potential of CAP in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of DCA on B16-F10 melanoma apoptosis is also explored. CAP therapeutics for other types of cancers are also explored in this review. Alongside its implications in oncology, CAP has gathered substantial attention for its extraordinary potential in neutralizing viruses. CAP’s exceptional precision in targeting viral envelopes, genetic material and structural components disrupts their integrity and vital functions. This orchestrated mechanism offers a swift and efficacious route to render viruses inactive, encompassing both enveloped and nonenveloped viral types. In parallel pursuit, this review examines CAP-generated reactive species’ proficiency in deactivating SARS-CoV-2 across various surfaces. The inquiry entails subjecting surfaces to CAP treatment, succeeded by quantifying viral load and scrutinizing viral integrity. The outcomes gleaned from these investigations provide pivotal insights into CAP’s potential as a robust surface disinfection strategy, poised to combat the propagation of viral transmission.