Publications
Medical gas plasma modulates in vitro keratinocyte redox signaling and secretory profiles in actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma
Abstract:
Actinic keratosis (AK) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represent progressive keratinocyte disorders in which oxidative stress and dysregulated signaling contribute to disease pathology. Medical gas plasma is an emerging therapeutic tool that generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species capable of modulating cellular function. Here, we evaluated a newly developed helium multijet plasma device for its potential to treat precancerous and cancerous keratinocyte diseases. To cover the entire keratinocyte carcinogenesis process, in vitro models of normal keratinocytes (HaCaT), AK (HT-297.T), and SCC (A431) were used. A 2-minute plasma treatment produced moderate levels of reactive species in the liquid phase, inducing intracellular oxidation and decreasing viability in a cell type-dependent manner, being most effective in SCC. Plasma exposure modulated stress- and survival-associated signaling pathways and reshaped the secretion of growth factors and pro-inflammatory chemokines, with AK cells showing the most pronounced responses. These findings demonstrate that plasma-generated oxidants act as signaling mediators that can fine-tune keratinocyte behavior without overt cytotoxicity in vitro, supporting the potential of controlled plasma exposure as a therapeutic strategy for actinic keratosis and other skin cancers.
Publisher: ScienceDirect: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
Advancing Dermatological Care: Potential of Gas Plasma Technology for Actinic Keratosis Treatment
Abstract:
Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin condition, often necessitating effective treatment to prevent progression to invasive, potentially lethal skin cancer. Traditional methods, such as cryotherapy and other topical therapies, pose various challenges, including discomfort and the potential for scarring. In recent years, medical gas plasma technology has emerged as a potential additional therapeutic option, leveraging the unique properties of such partially ionized gases to offer a non-invasive and targeted approach. This review critically evaluates clinical evidence from CE-certified plasma devices, including the kINPen MED and PlasmaDerm VU-2010, which demonstrate the efficacy and safety of plasma treatment in accelerating healing, lesion burden reduction, and skin rejuvenation. Building on these clinical insights, the review also outlines the underlying mechanisms of plasma-induced oxidative stress, discusses advancements in device design that enhance treatment precision and patient comfort, and highlights existing challenges such as standardization and reproducibility. Together, these findings position medical gas plasma as a compelling addition to the dermatological treatment landscape and underscore the need for continued translational and clinical research to establish its place in standard AK therapy.
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers IEEE
Biomolecular mass spectrometry in plasma medicine
Authors:
Abstract:
Cold non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasmas, often referred to as gas plasmas in biomedical literature, is an established treatment modality for skin related diseases, especially non-healing wounds. Experimentally, it´s impact on malignant and inflammatory disorders is investigated and shows promising results. The dominating effectors are reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which are generated by the discharges or in its vicinity depending on discharge conditions such as electrode geometry, working gas composition, and energy input. Controlling gas phase chemistry, transport, and deposition of reactive species is part of ongoing research. To delineate the underlying molecular mechanisms of the established biomedical effects, multi-disciplinary research efforts are underway for more than 20 years finding that the gas plasma derived reactive species interact deeply with cellular redox signalling processes. Among other analytical tools, biomolecular mass spectrometry has contributed to understand chemical and biological processes triggered by gas plasma in model systems of increasing complexity. The current review seeks to highlight major steps taken with such instrumentation from unravelling the modification of free amino acids to multi-omics approaches. A special emphasis is given to proteins and their buildings blocks, since they are key components of life and represent major targets for reactive species. Despite the progress made in understanding the plasma-driven redox (bio-) chemistry, remaining challenges and future perspective of this fascinating technique are presented.
Publisher: IOP Publishing Ltd , ,
