Plasma Medicine

A special issue of Plasma (ISSN 2571-6182).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2018) | Viewed by 70249

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Electrical & Computer Engineering Department, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
Interests: plasma science; biomedical applications of plasmas; gaseous electronics; EM waves interactions with plasmas; plasma processing
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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
Interests: cold plasma; cancer; free radicals; cancer treatments; plasma medicine; plasma physics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Center for Low-Temperature Plasma Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Interests: plasma processing; nano technology; electronic and electric materials engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plasma medicine is a multidisciplinary field of research that focuses on studies on the interaction of low-temperature plasmas with biological cells and tissues. Many advances took place in the last decade that promise to make cold plasma technology a basis for new medical therapies. However, many of the mechanisms whereby plasma affects cells and tissues are still not well understood. For this Special Issue of the journal Plasma, reseachers active in all aspects of the field of plasma medicine are invited to submit their latest results. Papers covering fundamental studies as well as papers discussing applications are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Mounir Laroussi
Prof. Dr. Michael Keidar
Prof. Dr. Masaru Hori
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Low temperature plasma
  • Cells
  • Tissues
  • Medicine
  • Reactive species
  • Plasma medicine

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 184 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue on Plasma Medicine
by Mounir Laroussi, Michael Keidar and Masaru Hori
Plasma 2018, 1(2), 259-260; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma1020022 - 17 Oct 2018
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3045
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Medicine)

Research

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15 pages, 4011 KiB  
Article
Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment Modulates Human Monocytes/Macrophages Responsiveness
by Letizia Crestale, Romolo Laurita, Anna Liguori, Augusto Stancampiano, Maria Talmon, Alina Bisag, Matteo Gherardi, Angela Amoruso, Vittorio Colombo and Luigia G. Fresu
Plasma 2018, 1(2), 261-276; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma1020023 - 29 Oct 2018
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4991
Abstract
Monocytes are involved in innate immune surveillance, establishment and resolution on inflammation, and can polarize versus M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages. The possibility to control and drive immune cells activity through plasma stimulation is therefore attractive. We focused on the effects induced [...] Read more.
Monocytes are involved in innate immune surveillance, establishment and resolution on inflammation, and can polarize versus M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages. The possibility to control and drive immune cells activity through plasma stimulation is therefore attractive. We focused on the effects induced by cold-atmospheric plasma on human primary monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages. Monocytes resulted more susceptible than monocyte-derived macrophages to the plasma treatment as demonstrated by the increase in reactive oxygen (ROS) production and reduction of viability. Macrophages instead were not induced to produce ROS and presented a stable viability. Analysis of macrophage markers demonstrated a time-dependent decrease of the M1 population and a correspondent increase of M2 monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). These findings suggest that plasma treatment may drive macrophage polarization towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Medicine)
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11 pages, 3070 KiB  
Article
Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells with the Canady Cold Plasma Conversion System: Preliminary Results
by Xiaoqian Cheng, Warren Rowe, Lawan Ly, Alexey Shashurin, Taisen Zhuang, Shruti Wigh, Giacomo Basadonna, Barry Trink, Michael Keidar and Jerome Canady
Plasma 2018, 1(1), 218-228; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma1010019 - 15 Sep 2018
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5829
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer is a phenotype of breast cancer where the expression level of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptors are low or absent. It is more frequently diagnosed in younger and premenopausal women, among which African and [...] Read more.
Triple-negative breast cancer is a phenotype of breast cancer where the expression level of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptors are low or absent. It is more frequently diagnosed in younger and premenopausal women, among which African and Hispanic have a higher rate. Cold atmospheric plasma has revealed its promising ant-cancer capacity over the past two decades. In this study, we report the first cold plasma jet delivered by the Canady Cold Plasma Conversion Unit and characterization of its electric and thermal parameters. The unit effectively reduced the viability of triple-negative breast cancer up to 80% without thermal damage, providing a starting point for future clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Medicine)
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17 pages, 2262 KiB  
Article
Plasma Treatment of Ovarian Cancer Cells Mitigates Their Immuno-Modulatory Products Active on THP-1 Monocytes
by Sander Bekeschus, Can Pascal Wulf, Eric Freund, Dominique Koensgen, Alexander Mustea, Klaus-Dieter Weltmann and Matthias B. Stope
Plasma 2018, 1(1), 201-217; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma1010018 - 15 Sep 2018
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4848
Abstract
Cancers modulate their microenvironment to favor their growth. In particular, monocytes and macrophages are targeted by immuno-modulatory molecules installed by adjacent tumor cells such as ovarian carcinomas. Cold physical plasma has recently gained attention as innovative tumor therapy. We confirmed this for the [...] Read more.
Cancers modulate their microenvironment to favor their growth. In particular, monocytes and macrophages are targeted by immuno-modulatory molecules installed by adjacent tumor cells such as ovarian carcinomas. Cold physical plasma has recently gained attention as innovative tumor therapy. We confirmed this for the OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell lines in a caspase 3/7 independent and dependent manner, respectively. To elaborate whether plasma exposure interferes with their immunomodulatory properties, supernatants of control and plasma-treated tumor cells were added to human THP-1 monocyte cultures. In the latter, modest effects on intracellular oxidation or short-term metabolic activity were observed. By contrast, supernatants of plasma-treated cancer cells abrogated significant changes in morphological and phenotypic features of THP-1 cells compared to those cultured with supernatants of non-treated tumor cell counterparts. This included cell motility and morphology, and modulated expression patterns of nine cell surface markers known to be involved in monocyte activation. This was particularly pronounced in SKOV-3 cells. Further analysis of tumor cell supernatants indicated roles of small particles and interleukin 8 and 18, with MCP1 presumably driving activation in monocytes. Altogether, our results suggest plasma treatment to alleviate immunomodulatory secretory products of ovarian cancer cells is important for driving a distinct myeloid cell phenotype. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Medicine)
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12 pages, 4388 KiB  
Article
A New Cold Plasma Jet: Performance Evaluation of Cold Plasma, Hybrid Plasma and Argon Plasma Coagulation
by Lawan Ly, Sterlyn Jones, Alexey Shashurin, Taisen Zhuang, Warren Rowe, Xiaoqian Cheng, Shruti Wigh, Tammey Naab, Michael Keidar and Jerome Canady
Plasma 2018, 1(1), 189-200; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma1010017 - 11 Sep 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 8419
Abstract
The use of plasma energy has expanded in surgery and medicine. Tumor resection in surgery and endoscopy has incorporated the use of a plasma scalpel or catheter for over four decades. A new plasma energy has expanded the tools in surgery: Cold Atmospheric [...] Read more.
The use of plasma energy has expanded in surgery and medicine. Tumor resection in surgery and endoscopy has incorporated the use of a plasma scalpel or catheter for over four decades. A new plasma energy has expanded the tools in surgery: Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP). A cold plasma generator and handpiece are required to deliver the CAP energy. The authors evaluated a new Cold Plasma Jet System. The Cold Plasma Jet System consists of a USMI Cold Plasma Conversion Unit, Canady Helios Cold Plasma® Scalpel, and the Canady Plasma® Scalpel in Hybrid and Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) modes. This plasma surgical system is designed to remove the target tumor with minimal blood loss and subsequently spray the local area with cold plasma. In this study, various operational parameters of the Canady Plasma® Scalpels were tested on ex vivo normal porcine liver tissue. These conditions included various gas flow rates (1.0, 3.0, 5.0 L/min), powers (20, 40, 60 P), and treatment durations (30, 60, 90, 120 s) with argon and helium gases. Plasma length, tissue temperature changes, and depth and eschar injury magnitude measurements resulting from treatment were taken into consideration in the comparison of the scalpels. The authors report that a new cold plasma jet technology does not produce any thermal damage to normal tissue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Medicine)
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12 pages, 3310 KiB  
Article
The Canady Helios Cold Plasma Scalpel Significantly Decreases Viability in Malignant Solid Tumor Cells in a Dose-Dependent Manner
by Warren Rowe, Xiaoqian Cheng, Lawan Ly, Taisen Zhuang, Giacomo Basadonna, Barry Trink, Michael Keidar and Jerome Canady
Plasma 2018, 1(1), 177-188; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma1010016 - 7 Sep 2018
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6539
Abstract
To determine appropriate treatment doses of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), the Canady Helios Cold Plasma Scalpel was tested across numerous cancer cell types including renal adenocarcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, ovarian adenocarcinoma, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Various CAP doses were tested consisting of both [...] Read more.
To determine appropriate treatment doses of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), the Canady Helios Cold Plasma Scalpel was tested across numerous cancer cell types including renal adenocarcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, ovarian adenocarcinoma, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Various CAP doses were tested consisting of both high (3 L/min) and low (1 L/min) helium flow rates, several power settings, and a range of treatment times up to 5 min. The impact of cold plasma on the reduction of viability was consistently dose-dependent; however, the anti-cancer capability varied significantly between cell lines. While the lowest effective dose varied from cell line to cell line, in each case an 80–99% reduction in viability was achievable 48 h after CAP treatment. Therefore, it is critical to select the appropriate CAP dose necessary for treating a specific cancer cell type. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Medicine)
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7 pages, 1426 KiB  
Article
Possible Mechanism of Glucose Uptake Enhanced by Cold Atmospheric Plasma: Atomic Scale Simulations
by Jamoliddin Razzokov, Maksudbek Yusupov and Annemie Bogaerts
Plasma 2018, 1(1), 119-125; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma1010011 - 8 Jun 2018
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4231
Abstract
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has shown its potential in biomedical applications, such as wound healing, cancer treatment and bacterial disinfection. Recent experiments have provided evidence that CAP can also enhance the intracellular uptake of glucose molecules which is important in diabetes therapy. In [...] Read more.
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has shown its potential in biomedical applications, such as wound healing, cancer treatment and bacterial disinfection. Recent experiments have provided evidence that CAP can also enhance the intracellular uptake of glucose molecules which is important in diabetes therapy. In this respect, it is essential to understand the underlying mechanisms of intracellular glucose uptake induced by CAP, which is still unclear. Hence, in this study we try to elucidate the possible mechanism of glucose uptake by cells by performing computer simulations. Specifically, we study the transport of glucose molecules through native and oxidized membranes. Our simulation results show that the free energy barrier for the permeation of glucose molecules across the membrane decreases upon increasing the degree of oxidized lipids in the membrane. This indicates that the glucose permeation rate into cells increases when the CAP oxidation level in the cell membrane is increased. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Medicine)
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Review

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6 pages, 391 KiB  
Review
New Hopes for Plasma-Based Cancer Treatment
by Hiromasa Tanaka, Masaaki Mizuno, Kenji Ishikawa, Shinya Toyokuni, Hiroaki Kajiyama, Fumitaka Kikkawa and Masaru Hori
Plasma 2018, 1(1), 150-155; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma1010014 - 18 Aug 2018
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6662
Abstract
Non-thermal plasma represents a novel approach in cancer treatment. Both direct and indirect plasma treatments are available, with clinical trials of direct plasma treatment in progress. Indirect treatments involve chemotherapy (i.e., plasma-activated medium) and immunotherapy. Recent studies suggest that integrated plasma treatments could [...] Read more.
Non-thermal plasma represents a novel approach in cancer treatment. Both direct and indirect plasma treatments are available, with clinical trials of direct plasma treatment in progress. Indirect treatments involve chemotherapy (i.e., plasma-activated medium) and immunotherapy. Recent studies suggest that integrated plasma treatments could be an extremely effective approach to cancer therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Medicine)
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14 pages, 2995 KiB  
Review
Plasma Medicine: A Brief Introduction
by Mounir Laroussi
Plasma 2018, 1(1), 47-60; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma1010005 - 19 Feb 2018
Cited by 158 | Viewed by 23344
Abstract
This mini review is to introduce the readers of Plasma to the field of plasma medicine. This is a multidisciplinary field of research at the intersection of physics, engineering, biology and medicine. Plasma medicine is only about two decades old, but the research [...] Read more.
This mini review is to introduce the readers of Plasma to the field of plasma medicine. This is a multidisciplinary field of research at the intersection of physics, engineering, biology and medicine. Plasma medicine is only about two decades old, but the research community active in this emerging field has grown tremendously in the last few years. Today, research is being conducted on a number of applications including wound healing and cancer treatment. Although a lot of knowledge has been created and our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that play important roles in the interaction between low temperature plasma and biological cells and tissues has greatly expanded, much remains to be done to get a thorough and detailed picture of all the physical and biochemical processes that enter into play. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plasma Medicine)
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