Gwu-Usmi Plasma Medicine Research Program

Abstract

This talk will introduce the recently established joint program on plasma cancer therapy between USMI and GWU. The use of cold atmospheric plasma-based instruments resulting from prior collaborations between USMI and GWU have already shown promise in the treatment of cancer. In January 2016, a surgical team used the Canady Helios TM Cold Plasma Scalpel to selectively kill cancerous tissue during a two-stage liver resection in a patient with advanced inoperable liver cancer. The innovative technology allowed the surgical removal of the cancerous tissue without damaging the blood supply to the remaining liver. This research program will enable the transition of the novel CAP cancer treatment technology into translational and clinical stages by the development of new self-adaptive plasma devices, development of in-situ diagnostics to probe cell and tissue response to plasma action including optical, magnetic and thermal imaging, and the development of remote (non-surgical) techniques for plasma treatment.