Cold Atmospheric Plasma and Gold Quantum Dots Exert Dual Cytotoxicity Mediated by the Cell Receptor-Activated Apoptotic Pathway in Glioblastoma Cells

New insights into targeted therapy of glioblastoma using smart nanoparticles

In recent times, the intersection of nanotechnology and biomedical research has given rise to nanobiomedicine, a captivating realm that holds immense promise for revolutionizing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the field of cancer. This innovative fusion of biology, medicine, and nanotechnology aims to create diagnostic and therapeutic agents with enhanced safety and efficacy, particularly in the realm of theranostics for various malignancies. Diverse inorganic, organic, and hybrid organic-inorganic nanoparticles, each possessing unique properties, have been introduced into this domain. This review seeks to highlight the latest strides in targeted glioblastoma therapy by focusing on the application of inorganic smart nanoparticles. Beyond exploring the general role of nanotechnology in medical applications, this review delves into groundbreaking strategies for glioblastoma treatment, showcasing the potential of smart nanoparticles through in vitro studies, in vivo investigations, and ongoing clinical trials.

Multifunctional Nanocarriers for Alzheimer's Disease: Befriending the Barriers

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) have been increasing in incidence in recent years and are now widespread worldwide. Neuronal death is defined as the progressive loss of neuronal structure or function which is closely associated with NDDs and represents the intrinsic features of such disorders. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases (AD, PD, and HD, respectively) are considered neurodegenerative diseases that affect a large number of people worldwide. Despite the testing of various drugs, there is currently no available therapy that can remedy or effectively slow the progression of these diseases. Nanomedicine has the potential to revolutionize drug delivery for the management of NDDs. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) has recently been developed to improve drug delivery efficiency and is currently subjected to extensive studies. Nanoengineered particles, known as nanodrugs, can cross the blood-brain barrier while also being less invasive compared to the most treatment strategies in use. Polymeric, magnetic, carbonic, and inorganic NPs are examples of NPs that have been developed to improve drug delivery efficiency. Primary research studies using NPs to cure AD are promising, but thorough research is needed to introduce these approaches to clinical use. In the present review, we discussed the role of metal-based NPs, polymeric nanogels, nanocarrier systems such as liposomes, solid lipid NPs, polymeric NPs, exosomes, quantum dots, dendrimers, polymersomes, carbon nanotubes, and nanofibers and surfactant-based systems for the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, we highlighted nanoformulations such as N-butyl cyanoacrylate, poly(butyl cyanoacrylate), D-penicillamine, citrate-coated peptide, magnetic iron oxide, chitosan (CS), lipoprotein, ceria, silica, metallic nanoparticles, cholinesterase inhibitors, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, metal chelators, anti-amyloid, protein, and peptide-loaded NPs for the treatment of AD.

Unlocking melanoma Suppression: Insights from Plasma-Induced potent miRNAs through PI3K-AKT-ZEB1 axis

INTRODUCTION

Melanoma is a rare but highly malignant form of skin cancer. Although recent targeted and immune-based therapies have improved survival rates by 10-15%, effective melanoma treatment remains challenging. Therefore, novel, combinatorial therapy options such as non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTP) are being investigated to inhibit and prevent chemoresistance. Although several studies have reported the apoptotic and inhibitory effects of reactive oxygen species produced by NTP in the context of melanoma, the intricate molecular network that determines the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating NTP-mediated cell death remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms and miRNA networks regulated by NTP-induced oxidative stress in melanoma cells.

METHODS

Melanoma cells were exposed to NTP and then subjected to high-throughput miRNA sequencing to identify NTP-regulated miRNAs. Various biological processes and underlying molecular mechanisms were assessed using Alamar Blue, propidium iodide (PI) uptake, cell migration, and clonogenic assays followed by qRT-PCR and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

NTP exposure for 3 min was sufficient to modulate the expression of several miRNAs, inhibiting cell growth. Persistent NTP exposure for 5 min increased differential miRNA regulation, PI uptake, and the expression of genes involved in cell cycle arrest and death. qPCR confirmed that miR-200b-3p and miR-215-5p upregulation contributed to decreased cell viability and migration. Mechanistically, inhibiting miR-200b-3p and miR-215-5p in SK-2 cells enhancedZEB1, PI3K, and AKT expression, increasing cell proliferation and viability.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that NTP exposure for 5 min results in the differential regulation of miRNAs related to the PI3K-AKT-ZEB1 axis and cell cycle dysregulation to facilitate melanoma suppression.

Potential of Nanocarrier-Associated Approaches for Better Therapeutic Intervention in the Management of Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma, commonly known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is one of the deadliest and most invasive types of brain cancer. Two factors account for the majority of the treatment limitations for GBM. First, the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) renders malignancy treatment ineffective, leading to recurrence without full recovery. Second, several adverse effects are associated with the drugs used in conventional GBM treatment. Recent studies have developed nanocarrier systems, such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, nanosuspensions, nanoemulsions, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanocarriers, metal particles, and silica nanoparticles, which allow drug-loaded formulations to penetrate the BBB more effectively. This has opened up new possibilities for overcoming therapy issues. Extensive and methodical searches of databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and others were conducted to gather relevant literature for this work, using precise keyword combinations such as "GBM," "brain tumor," and "nanocarriers." This review provides deep insights into the administration of drugs using nanocarriers for the management of GBM and explores new advancements in nanotechnology. It also highlights how scientific developments can be explained in connection with hopeful findings about the potential of nanocarriers for the future successful management of GBM.

Receptor-Mediated Redox Imbalance: An Emerging Clinical Avenue against Aggressive Cancers

Cancer cells are more vulnerable to abnormal redox fluctuations due to their imbalanced antioxidant system, where cell surface receptors sense stress and trigger intracellular signal relay. As canonical targets of many targeted therapies, cell receptors sensitize the cells to specific drugs. On the other hand, cell target mutations are commonly associated with drug resistance. Thus, exploring effective therapeutics targeting diverse cell receptors may open new clinical avenues against aggressive cancers. This paper uses focused case studies to reveal the intrinsic relationship between the cell receptors of different categories and the primary cancer hallmarks that are associated with the responses to external or internal redox perturbations. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is examined as a promising redox modulation medium and highly selective anti-cancer therapeutic modality featuring dynamically varying receptor targets and minimized drug resistance against aggressive cancers.

Quantum dots: The cutting-edge nanotheranostics in brain cancer management

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals possessing unique optoelectrical properties in that they can emit light energy of specific tunable wavelengths when excited by photons. They are gaining attention nowadays owing to their all-around ability to allow high-quality bio-imaging along with targeted drug delivery. The most lethal central nervous system (CNS) disorders are brain cancers or malignant brain tumors. CNS is guarded by the blood-brain barrier which poses a selective blockade toward drug delivery into the brain. QDs have displayed strong potential to deliver therapeutic agents into the brain successfully. Their bio-imaging capability due to photoluminescence and specific targeting ability through the attachment of ligand biomolecules make them preferable clinical tools for coming times. Biocompatible QDs are emerging as nanotheranostic tools to identify/diagnose and selectively kill cancer cells. The current review focuses on QDs and associated nanoformulations as potential futuristic clinical aids in the continuous battle against brain cancer.

Metal-Based Nanostructured Therapeutic Strategies for Glioblastoma Treatment-An Update

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most commonly diagnosed and most lethal primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Standard treatments are ineffective, and despite promising results obtained in early phases of experimental clinical trials, the prognosis of GBM remains unfavorable. Therefore, there is need for exploration and development of innovative methods that aim to establish new therapies or increase the effectiveness of existing therapies. One of the most exciting new strategies enabling combinatory treatment is the usage of nanocarriers loaded with chemotherapeutics and/or other anticancer compounds. Nanocarriers exhibit unique properties in antitumor therapy, as they allow highly efficient drug transport into cells and sustained intracellular accumulation of the delivered cargo. They can be infused into and are retained by GBM tumors, and potentially can bypass the blood-brain barrier. One of the most promising and extensively studied groups of nanostructured therapeutics are metal-based nanoparticles. These theranostic nanocarriers demonstrate relatively low toxicity, thus they might be applied for both diagnosis and therapy. In this article, we provide an update on metal-based nanostructured constructs in the treatment of GBM. We focus on the interaction of metal nanoparticles with various forms of electromagnetic radiation for use in photothermal, photodynamic, magnetic hyperthermia and ionizing radiation sensitization applications.

Biomedical Applications of Quantum Dots: Overview, Challenges, and Clinical Potential

Despite the massive advancements in the nanomedicines and their associated research, their translation into clinically-applicable products is still below promises. The latter fact necessitates an in-depth evaluation of the current nanomedicines from a clinical perspective to cope with the challenges hampering their clinical potential. Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductors-based nanomaterials with numerous biomedical applications such as drug delivery, live imaging, and medical diagnosis, in addition to other applications beyond medicine such as in solar cells. Nevertheless, the power of QDs is still underestimated in clinics. In the current article, we review the status of QDs in literature, their preparation, characterization, and biomedical applications. In addition, the market status and the ongoing clinical trials recruiting QDs are highlighted, with a special focus on the challenges limiting the clinical translation of QDs. Moreover, QDs are technically compared to other commercially-available substitutes. Eventually, we inspire the technical aspects that should be considered to improve the clinical fate of QDs.

The effect of local non‐thermal plasma therapy on the cancer‐immunity cycle in a melanoma mouse model

Melanoma remains a deadly cancer despite significant advances in immune checkpoint blockade and targeted therapies. The incidence of melanoma is also growing worldwide, which highlights the need for novel treatment options and strategic combination of therapies. Here, we investigate non‐thermal plasma (NTP), an ionized gas, as a promising, therapeutic option. In a melanoma mouse model, direct treatment of tumors with NTP results in reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival. Physical characterization of NTP treatment in situ reveals the deposited NTP energy and temperature associated with therapy response, and whole transcriptome analysis of the tumor identified several modulated pathways. NTP treatment also enhances the cancer‐immunity cycle, as immune cells in both the tumor and tumor‐draining lymph nodes appear more stimulated to perform their anti‐cancer functions. Thus, our data suggest that local NTP therapy stimulates systemic, anti‐cancer immunity. We discuss, in detail, how these fundamental insights will help direct the translation of NTP technology into the clinic and inform rational combination strategies to address the challenges in melanoma therapy.

Periodic Exposure of Plasma-Activated Medium Alters Fibroblast Cellular Homoeostasis

Excess amounts of redox stress and failure to regulate homeostatic levels of reactive species are associated with several skin pathophysiologic conditions. Nonmalignant cells are assumed to cope better with higher reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels. However, the effect of periodic stress on this balance has not been investigated in fibroblasts in the field of plasma medicine. In this study, we aimed to investigate intrinsic changes with respect to cellular proliferation, cell cycle, and ability to neutralize the redox stress inside fibroblast cells following periodic redox stress in vitro. Soft jet plasma with air as feeding gas was used to generate plasma-activated medium (PAM) for inducing redox stress conditions. We assessed cellular viability, energetics, and cell cycle machinery under oxidative stress conditions at weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12. Fibroblasts retained their usual physiological properties until 6 weeks. Fibroblasts failed to overcome the redox stress induced by periodic PAM exposure after 6 weeks, indicating its threshold potential. Periodic stress above the threshold level led to alterations in fibroblast cellular processes. These include consistent increases in apoptosis, while RONS accumulation and cell cycle arrest were observed at the final stages. Currently, the use of NTP in clinical settings is limited due to a lack of knowledge about fibroblasts’ behavior in wound healing, scar formation, and other fibrotic disorders. Understanding fibroblasts’ physiology could help to utilize nonthermal plasma in redox-related skin diseases. Furthermore, these results provide new information about the threshold capacity of fibroblasts and an insight into the adaptation mechanism against periodic oxidative stress conditions in fibroblasts.

Plasma bioscience for medicine, agriculture and hygiene applications

Nonthermal biocompatible plasma (NBP) sources operating in atmospheric pressure environments and their characteristics can be used for plasma bioscience, medicine, and hygiene applications, especially for COVID-19 and citizen. This review surveyed the various NBP sources, including a plasma jet, micro-DBD (dielectric barrier discharge) and nanosecond discharged plasma. The electron temperatures and the plasma densities, which are produced using dielectric barrier discharged electrode systems, can be characterized as 0.7 ~ 1.8 eV and (3-5) × 1014-15 cm-3, respectively. Herein, we introduce a general schematic view of the plasma ultraviolet photolysis of water molecules for reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generation inside biological cells or living tissues, which would be synergistically important with RONS diffusive propagation into cells or tissues. Of the RONS, the hydroxyl radical [OH] and hydrogen peroxide H2O2 species would mainly result in apoptotic cell death with other RONS in plasma bioscience and medicines. The diseased biological protein, cancer, and mutated cells could be treated by using a NBP or plasma activated water (PAW) resulting in their apoptosis for a new paradigm of plasma medicine.

Aberrant Expressional Profiling of Small RNA by Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment in Human Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Small RNAs (sRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), are functional molecules that modulate mRNA transcripts and have been implicated in the etiology of various types of cancer. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a physical technology widely used in the field of cancer treatment after exhibiting extensive lethality on cancer cells. However, few studies have reported the exact role of miRNAs in CAP-induced anti-cancer effects. The aim of the present study was to determine whether miRNAs are involved in CAP-induced cytotoxicity by using high-throughput sequencing. Our research demonstrated that 28 miRNAs were significantly changed (17 upregulated and 11downregulated) following 24 h of treatment with a room-temperature argon plasma jet for 90 s compared with that of the untreated group in human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells. GO enrichment analysis revealed that these target genes were related to cell organelles, protein binding, and single-organism processes. Furthermore, KEGG pathway analysis demonstrated that the target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were primarily involved in the cAMP signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, and phosphatidylinositol signaling system. Taken together, our study demonstrated that CAP treatment could significantly alter the small RNA expression profile of chronic myeloid leukemia cells and provide a novel theoretical insight for elucidating the molecular mechanisms in CAP biomedicine application.

Influence of Redox Stress on Crosstalk between Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes

Simple Summary

There has been significant scientific progress in skin care and skin damage repair, but the complete understanding of skin homeostasis is still beyond our reach. With an increase in environmental stress factors, the incidence rates of skin cancer and skin disorders are on the rise. Taken together with the incidence of scar- and burn-related morbidities, there is an urgent need to understand interactions between skin cells to develop novel therapies for the regeneration of healthy skin. One of the recurrent stress factors affecting the skin are the harmful free radicals, also referred to as oxidative stress. This study aimed to address the influence of oxidative stress on the interaction between two types of skin cells, keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The study utilized cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) to induce oxidative stress in cells and to assess the interactions between the two cell types. We showed that CAP can stimulate cells to enhance their proliferation and migration. This study provides a further understanding of skin cell regulation under stress conditions. Such knowledge may help in designing treatment therapies for rapid wound healing and skin repair.

Abstract

Although the skin is constantly subjected to endogenous and exogenous stress, it maintains a homeostatic state through wound repair and regeneration pathways. Treatment for skin diseases and injury requires a significant understanding of the various mechanisms and interactions that occur within skin cells. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts interact with each other and act as key players in the repair process. Although fibroblasts and keratinocytes are widely studied in wound healing and skin remodeling under different conditions, the influence of redox stress on keratinocyte-fibroblast crosstalk has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we used cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) to generate and deliver oxidative stress to keratinocytes and fibroblasts and to assess its impact on their interactions. To this end, we used a well-established in vitro 3D co-culture model imitating a realistic scenario. Our study shows that low CAP exposure is biocompatible and does not affect the viability or energetics of fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Exposure to low doses of CAP enhanced the proliferation rate of cells and stimulated the expression of key genes (KGF, MMP2, GMCSF, IL-6, and IL-8) in fibroblasts, indicating the activation and initiation of the skin repair process. Additionally, enhanced migration was observed under co-culture conditions under the given redox stress conditions, and expression of the upstream regulator and the effectors of the Hippo pathway (YAP and CYR61, respectively), which are associated with enhanced migration, were elevated. Overall, this study reinforces the application of CAP and redox stress in skin repair physiology.

Combined Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma and Curcumin in Melanoma Cancer

Curcumin (CUR) has interesting properties to cure cancer. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is also an emerging biomedical technique that has great potential for cancer treatment. Therefore, the combined effect of CAP and CUR on inducing cytotoxicity and apoptosis of melanoma cancer cells might be promising. Here, we investigated the combined effects of CAP and CUR on cytotoxicity and apoptosis in B16-F10 melanoma cancer cells compared to L929 normal cells using MTT method, acridine orange/ethidium bromide fluorescence microscopic assay, and Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. In addition, the activation of apoptosis pathways was evaluated using BCL2, BAX, and Caspase-3 (CASP3) gene expression and ratio of BAX to BCL2 (BAX/BCL2). Finally, in silico study was performed to suggest the molecular mechanism of this combination therapy on melanoma cancer. Results showed that although combination therapy with CUR and CAP has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on cancer cells, it did not improve apoptosis rate in melanoma B16-F10 cancer cells compared to monotherapy with CAP or CUR. In addition, evaluation of gene expression in cancer cell line confirmed that CUR and CAP concomitant treatment did not enhance the expression of apoptotic genes. In silico analysis of docked model suggested that CUR blocks aquaporin- (AQP-) 1 channel and prevents penetration of CAP-induced ROS into the cells. In conclusion, combination therapy with CAP and CUR does not improve the anticancer effect of each alone.

Carrier-Free Cellular Transport of CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein for Genome Editing by Cold Atmospheric Plasma

Simple Summary

CRISPR/Cas9 system as a potential gene editing platform has been widely applied in biological engineering and disease therapies. To achieve precise gene targeting, active CRISPR/Cas9 components must be efficiently transported to targeted cells. As a simple and effective strategy, Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) treatment has been demonstrated for the transmembrane delivery of various exogenous materials. In comparison with carrier-dependent delivery methods, this carrier-free platform provides a promising alternative to circumvent the obstacles of biosafety and complicated preparation processes. In this work, a CAP-based CRISPR/Cas9 carrier-free delivery platform has been established and corresponding mechanism related to efficient transportation has been explored. Briefly, the efficient production of bioactive species in culture media after CAP treatment alters cell membrane potential and permeability, which facilitates cytosolic delivery of active CRISPR/Cas9 components via passive diffusion and ATP-dependent endocytosis pathways, resulting in efficient genome editing and gene silencing. This carrier-free strategy using CAP-based transportation may also be extended to other active biomolecules in drug delivery and gene therapy.

Abstract

A carrier-free CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein delivery strategy for genome editing mediated by a cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is described. The CAP is promising in many biomedical applications due to efficient production of bioactive ionized species. The MCF-7 cancer cells after CAP exposure exhibit increased extracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and altered membrane potential and permeability. Hence, transmembrane transport of Ca²⁺ into the cells increases and accelerates ATP hydrolysis, resulting in enhanced ATP-dependent endocytosis. Afterwards, the increased Ca²⁺ and ATP contents promote the release of cargo into cytoplasm due to the enhanced endosomal escape. The increased membrane permeability also facilitates passive diffusion of foreign species across the membrane into the cytosol. After CAP exposure, the MCF-7 cells incubated with Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (Cas9-sgRNA complex, Cas9sg) with a size of about 15 nm show 88.9% uptake efficiency and 65.9% nuclear import efficiency via passive diffusion and ATP-dependent endocytosis pathways. The efficient transportation of active Cas9sg after the CAP treatment leads to 21.7% and 30.2% indel efficiencies in HEK293T and MCF-7 cells, respectively. This CAP-mediated transportation process provides a simple and robust alternative for the delivery of active CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein. Additionally, the technique can be extended to other macro-biomolecules and nanomaterials to cater to different biomedical applications.

Plasma bioscience and its application to medicine

Nonthermal atmospheric pressure biocompatible plasma (NBP), alternatively called bio-cold plasma, is a partially ionized gas that consists of charged particles, neutral atoms and molecules, photons, an electric field, and heat. Recently, nonthermal plasma-based technology has been applied to bioscience, medicine, agriculture, food processing, and safety. Various plasma device configurations and electrode layouts has fast-tracked plasma applications in the treatment of biological and material surfaces. The NBP action mechanism may be related to the synergy of plasma constituents, such as ultraviolet radiation or a reactive species. Recently, plasma has been used in the inactivation of viruses and resistant microbes, such as fungal cells, bacteria, spores, and biofilms made by microbes. It has also been used to heal wounds, coagulate blood, degrade pollutants, functionalize material surfaces, kill cancers, and for dental applications. This review provides an outline of NBP devices and their applications in bioscience and medicine. We also discuss the role of plasma-activated liquids in biological applications, such as cancer treatments and agriculture. The individual adaptation of plasma to meet specific medical requirements necessitates real-time monitoring of both the plasma performance and the target that is treated and will provide a new paradigm of plasma-based therapeutic clinical systems.

The Antitumor Effects of Plasma-Activated Saline on Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo Demonstrate Its Feasibility as a Potential Therapeutic Approach

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is a fast-growing and aggressive malignant tumor in urinary system. Since chemotherapy and immunotherapy are only useable with a few MIBC patients, the clinical treatment of MIBC still faces challenges. Here, we examined the feasibility of plasma-activated saline (PAS) as a fledgling therapeutic strategy for MIBC treatment. Our data showed that plasma irradiation could generate a variety of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in saline. In vivo tests revealed that pericarcinomatous tissue injection with PAS was effective at preventing subcutaneous bladder tumor growth, with no side effects to the visceral organs after long-term administration, as well as having no obvious influence on the various biochemistry indices of the blood in mice. The in vitro studies indicated that adding 30% PAS in cell culture media causes oxidative damage to the bladder transitional cells T24 and J82 through enhancing the intracellular ROS level, and eventually induces cancer cells' apoptosis by activating the ROS-mediated Fas/CD95 pathway. Therefore, for an intracavity tumor, these initial observations suggest that the soaking of the tumor tissue with PAS by intravesical perfusion may be a novel treatment option for bladder cancer.

Intracellular Responses Triggered by Cold Atmospheric Plasma and Plasma-Activated Media in Cancer Cells

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), an ionized gas operating at room temperature, has been increasingly studied with respect to its potential use in medicine, where its beneficial effects on tumor reduction in oncology have been demonstrated. This review discusses the cellular changes appearing in cell membranes, cytoplasm, various organelles, and DNA content upon cells’ direct or indirect exposure to CAP or CAP-activated media/solutions (PAM), respectively. In addition, the CAP/PAM impact on the main cellular processes of proliferation, migration, protein degradation and various forms of cell death is addressed, especially in light of CAP use in the oncology field of plasma medicine.

Non-Thermal Biocompatible Plasma Jet Induction of Apoptosis in Brain Cancer Cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant and rapidly advancing astrocytic brain tumor in adults. Current therapy possibilities are chemotherapy, surgical resection, and radiation. The complexity of drug release through the blood-brain barrier, tumor reaction to chemotherapy, and the inherent resistance of tumor cells present challenges. New therapies are needed for individual use or combination with conventional methods for more effective treatment and improved survival for patients. GBM is difficult to treat because it grows quickly, spreads finger-shaped tentacles, and creates an irregular margin of normal tissue surrounding the tumor. Non-thermal biocompatible plasma (NBP) has recently been shown to selectively target cancer cells with minimal effects on regular cells, acting by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). We applied a soft jet plasma device with a syringe shape to U87 MG cells and astrocytes. Our results show that NBP-J significantly inhibits cell proliferation and changes morphology, induces cell cycle arrest, inhibits the survival pathway, and induces apoptosis. Our results indicate that NBP-J may be an efficient and safe clinical device for brain cancer therapy.