Deep Tissue Cancer Treatment with Cold Plasma Technology

Researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), in collaboration with Greifswald University Hospital and University Medical Center Rostock, have demonstrated that cold plasma can effectively target and destroy tumor cells located deep within tissues. This innovative approach utilizes cold plasma, an ionized gas rich in reactive molecules, to penetrate tissue layers and impact cancer cells that are otherwise difficult to reach with conventional therapies.

A significant breakthrough was made by developing advanced tissue models composed of hydrogels, which mimic real tumor tissue. This allowed scientists to observe how specific plasma components, particularly short-lived reactive oxygen and nitrogen species like peroxynitrite, infiltrate tissue and influence tumor cells. Notably, peroxynitrite was able to penetrate several millimeters into tissue, effectively reaching target cells, while hydrogen peroxide, previously thought to be the main active molecule, showed minimal effect when isolated.

The research also explored the potential of plasma in post-surgical cancer treatments. By applying plasma to residual tumor cells at the margins of an artificial wound, the scientists observed strong anticancer effects, especially on cells that had migrated into surrounding tissues. These findings could contribute to reducing cancer relapse rates following surgery.

The study utilized the FDA-approved plasma jet device, 'kINPen,' paving the way for long-term, minimally invasive cancer therapies. Understanding which molecules are responsible for plasma's effects enables more precise application of plasma devices tailored to specific cancer types. This advancement marks a crucial step toward integrating plasma medicine into routine clinical practice, offering a promising alternative treatment for deep-seated tumors.

For more information, the full study is published in Trends in Biotechnology: Lea Miebach et al, Gas plasma technology mediates deep tissue and anticancer events independently of hydrogen peroxide, 2025. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.07.004]. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-cold-plasma-penetrates-deep-tissue.html