Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering
>> 2019,
Volume 13,
Issue 2
doi:
10.1007/s11705-018-1786-8
REVIEW ARTICLE
Plasma for cancer treatment: How can RONS penetrate through the cell membrane? Answers from computer modeling
Research group PLASMANT, Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, BE-2610 Antwerp-Wilrijk, Belgium
Accepted: 2019-03-21
Available online: 2019-03-21
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Abstract
Plasma is gaining increasing interest for cancer treatment, but the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Using computer simulations at the molecular level, we try to gain better insight in how plasma-generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) can penetrate through the cell membrane. Specifically, we compare the permeability of various (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) RONS across both oxidized and non-oxidized cell membranes. We also study pore formation, and how it is hampered by higher concentrations of cholesterol in the cell membrane, and we illustrate the much higher permeability of H O through aquaporin channels. Both mechanisms may explain the selective cytotoxic effect of plasma towards cancer cells. Finally, we also discuss the synergistic effect of plasma-induced oxidation and electric fields towards pore formation.