Connecting basic cold plasma technology to dermato-oncology

Abstract

PurposeCold atmospheric plasma was intensively investigated for medical applications in the last decade and a new field of plasma medicine emerged. MethodsBasic components of cold plasma and their biomedical effects were deciphered and mainly relate to redox-biologic effects. With regard to wound treatment, cold plasma already reached standard medical care status. In terms of plasma effects in oncology, only preliminary research data are available. ResultsThis emerging and highly dynamic field of plasma medicine in oncology shows several promising applications. As the skin is most easily accessible and a need for further therapies of skin cancers like metastasized melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma exists, translational approaches are urgently needed. ConclusionTo this end, we introduce a first Leibniz professorship for plasmabiotechnology in dermatology world-wide and establish a scientific network for the investigation of the efficacy and safety of cold atmospheric plasma in dermato-oncology.