Amid the ongoing battle against COVID-19, Dr. Keidar’s student and now postdoctoral scientist Vikas Soni emerges as a ray of hope with his pioneering research on cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) for treating SARS-CoV-2 infections. Soni’s groundbreaking work, conducted in collaboration with esteemed institutions (Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), George Washington University (GWU)) and supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC), has attracted widespread attention for its potential to revolutionize SARS-CoV-2 mitigation, COVID-19 treatment, management of antibiotic resistant bacteria and cancer therapy.
Soni’s journey in the field of plasma medicine began with a quest to combat cancer, specifically brain tumors initially during his PhD program in plasma medicine. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift in his research direction as there was an urgent need to explore CAP’s potential in combating the virus. Under the guidance of Dr. Keidar, Soni delved into the potential applications of various plasma sources such as plasma brush, jet, and discharge tube for surface decontamination and the treatment of viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2. His earlier research on glioblastoma paved the way for groundbreaking discoveries in this area. Soni found that even a brief exposure of just one minute to CAP resulted in significant cell death. Upon examination, he observed signs of oxidative stress, fragmentation of the cell nucleus, membrane damage, and blebbing. In biological terms, these indicators point towards DNA damage, signaling the inevitability of programmed cell death. Dr. Keidar and Soni found that cold plasma contains reactive species like ROS and RNS, which pose a threat to cells, especially cancer cells due to their mutations and rapid growth. Cancer cells are more vulnerable to oxidative stress induced by reactive species compared to healthy cells. Their experiments demonstrated that cold plasma exposure leads to the penetration of ROS and RNS into tumor cells, causing cell death, while healthy cells show only moderate levels of reactive species. This difference is due to cancer cells starting with higher levels of reactive species and having mutations that facilitate infiltration. Dysfunctional molecules in cancer cells also impair their ability to neutralize reactive species, unlike healthy cells.
After obtaining promising data on cold plasma’s ability to shrink tumors in subcutaneous mice models, even through the skin, Soni hypothesized that the technology might also be effective against brain tumors, in intracranial models, both during surgery and non-invasively from the outside. To simulate the protective barrier of the skull, he placed slices of thick human leg bone atop lab dishes containing glioblastoma cells. Upon directing the CAP jet at the setup non-invasively, the cancer cells were effectively inhibited by 79%. Subsequent tests on mice confirmed Soni’s findings, making him the first researcher in the world to conduct non-invasive treatment for glioblastoma using CAP delivered through the skull bone, resulting in significant tumor inhibition. Initially, the results seemed perplexing, as ROS and RNS molecules were thought to be incapable of penetrating bone. However, Dr. Keidar’s lab discovered that cold plasma emits a unique spectrum of electromagnetic (EM) waves, which, in addition to the direct chemical and physical effects of reactive species, these EM waves stimulate cells to enhance their own generation of reactive species due to oxidative stress. This discovery, corroborated by Soni’s animal research published in a 2021 article in the international journal Cancers, shed light on the underlying mechanisms of cold plasma therapy’s efficacy.
His research, highlighted in a seminal paper published in Cancers and Physics of Plasmas, explored the efficacy of CAP. His groundbreaking study at the FDA in collaboration with BIOQUAL (a research company based in Rockville, Maryland, USA, specializing in preclinical and nonclinical research services), titled “Cold Atmospheric Plasma for SARS-CoV-2 Inactivation,” revealed promising results, laying the groundwork for further investigations into CAP as a potential therapy for COVID-19. In just one minute of CAP treatment, he demonstrated a significant 4-log reduction in the treatment of the influenza virus, coupled with a 2.5-log reduction in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As a result, he secured a $200,000 NSF award RAPID grant for his project titled “RAPID: Cold Adaptive Atmospheric Plasma Decontamination of COVID-19.” Listed below
Links:https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2027876&HistoricalAwards=false
The significance of Soni’s work extends beyond the field of infectious diseases. His expertise in plasma technology has also led to significant advancements in cancer treatment and combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. His recent endeavors in treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at the FDA garnered significant acclaim. Through his efforts, he achieved a reduction of over 5 logs by repurposing pipette tips and masks, addressing the global shortage observed during the pandemic. These innovative applications of CAP proved invaluable in the decontamination of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). As a result of this research, Soni was awarded a Technology Maturation Award of $50,000 at GWU. Inspired by this breakthrough, they proceeded to file a patent for an innovative plasma jet technology designed to aid in decontamination and the eradication of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Currently, this groundbreaking technology is undergoing the process of commercialization. Soni’s multi-faceted approach to medical research has garnered accolades from the scientific community and industry alike, positioning him as a leading figure in the field of plasma medicine. Notably, Soni’s contributions have not gone unnoticed by funding agencies and research centers. His collaboration with NSF and IUCRC underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing pressing global challenges. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, Soni’s work holds immense promise for translating scientific discoveries into real-world applications.
Looking ahead, Soni remains committed to advancing his research agenda and driving innovation in healthcare. With a focus on developing novel therapies for COVID-19, cancer, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Soni’s work exemplifies the transformative potential of plasma technology in revolutionizing medical treatment modalities. In summary, Vikas Soni’s groundbreaking research on cold atmospheric plasma represents a paradigm shift in the fight against COVID-19, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and cancer. With support from NSF, IUCRC, and other stakeholders, Soni’s pioneering work offers hope for a brighter future, where innovative therapies pave the way for improved health outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
