Perspective of strategic plasma therapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: A short review of plasma in cancer treatment

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women in Western countries. Once patients experience recurrence, complete cure is almost impossible. Nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP) therapy has recently been focused on as a novel medical practice. We have elucidated the effect of nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma on the growth of EOC, particularly in plasma-activated medium (PAM). In our recent report, we examined the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or their scavengers in chronic antineoplastic-resistant EOC cells. As a result, PAM exerted the antitumor effect of EOC cells in vitro and in vivo, even in chemoresistant cells. There are several problems under investigation, including intracellular mechanism of antitumor effect by PAM and adverse event in vivo. Through recent results about plasma in cancer treatment, PAM therapy is a promising treatment option for EOC and may contribute to a better patient prognosis in the future.