The Effects of a Micro plasma on Melanoma (G361) Cancer Cells

A plasma-needle apparatus was used to investigate the effects of a low-temperature micro plasma on melanoma cells. The micro-plasma size ranged from sub-mm to several mm at a few watts of RF power. For bio-medical treatment, a low-temperature plasma is obtained and the gas temperature is controlled within several tens of degrees centigrade (℃) so as not to cause thermal damage to melanoma cells. The effect of an electric eld on the cell was investigated with the same device by turning off the feeding gas. In order to obtain the electric field and the plasma characteristics, we simulated the discharge with a two-dimensional particle-in-cell code. Also, the preliminary results for the effects of the micro plasma on melanoma cells are presented. Within the radius of the micro plasma around the plasma needle, melanoma cells are detached from the bottom and die due to apoptosis which was evidenced by both DNA condensation and by the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. KCI Citation Count: 24