The synergistic effect of Canady Helios cold atmospheric plasma and a FOLFIRINOX regimen for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma in vitro

Olivia Jones, Xiaoqian Cheng, Saravana R. K. Murthy, Lawan Ly, Taisen Zhuang, Giacomo Basadonna Michael Keidar & Jerome Canady

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been extensively studied in various biomedical fields. It is a novel approach to targeted cancer treatment and has demonstrated its anti-cancer effects in vitro. Te detailed mechanism have not been fully elucidated, however studies have established that CAP selectively induces apoptosis and DNA damage in tumor cells. Further research indicates low doses of CAP does not damage normal tissue. Recently, indirect CAP treatment was effective for the treatment of CCA in vitro, selectively killing CCA cells over normal hepatocytes. Research on CAP in combination with other therapies has shown some potential synergism with anti-neoplastic agents in melanoma cells, drug loaded nanoparticles in breast cancer cells, gemcitabine in murine pancreatic cancer cells, and temozolomide in glioblastoma cells.

The Canady Helios Cold Plasma System (CHCPS) paired with the Canady Helios Cold Plasma Scalpel has potential as an anti-cancer therapy (U.S. Patent No. 9999462). The CHCPS is currently subject to a phase I FDA Investigational Device Exemption Approval clinical trial in the United States and Israel. In this trial the Canady Helios Cold Plasma Scalpel delivers cold plasma at the surgical margins immediately after tumor resection. The temperature of our device during use ranges between 26 and 31 °C20. Te CHCPS reduces viability of solid tumor cells and does not thermally damage normal tissue. The system has shown efficacy in breast cancers representative of four molecular sub-types, and a 92–99% reduction in viability was achieved 48 h after CAP treatment (p<0.05).