By Tapp Francke Ingolia, MS, CNS
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is the most exciting therapy you have never heard of. CAP has been edging from physics labs into clinics thanks to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. In plain terms, CAP bathes tissue in short-lived reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that can nudge biology toward healing—and sometimes selectively stress sick cells more than healthy ones.
CAP might sound like something from science fiction, but it’s simply a gentle, room temperature form of energized air. CAP, when applied to the body, produces a shower of short-lived “reactive” molecules that can calm inflammation, rebalance immune activity and selectively stress problem cells, while leaving healthy cells mostly unharmed. Scientists are now exploring CAP as a supportive therapy for both autoimmune conditions and cancer care.
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis and vitiligo occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, and while traditional treatments often rely on drugs that suppress immunity—sometimes leading to side effects—CAP offers a gentler alternative. In RA, studies show CAP can directly target the overactive joint-lining cells known as fibroblast-like synoviocytes that drive inflammation; as noted in a 2025 study published in Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, “Studies have demonstrated that CAP can modulate fibroblast-like synoviocytes in RA, reducing their viability and inducing apoptosis,” meaning CAP may slow down or even eliminate the very cells that fuel joint swelling and damage.
In skin conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and vitiligo, CAP has been shown to calm redness and itching, reduce harmful bacteria, and—most exciting for vitiligo—encourage repigmentation in some treated patches, likely by quieting the immune “attack” signals while boosting antioxidant defenses and tissue repair.
CAP’s biggest buzz in oncology comes from its selectivity: Cancer cells are already oxidatively stressed, and CAP’s reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can tip them over the edge into programmed cell death while sparing nearby healthy tissue. Preclinical work also shows CAP can make tumors more “visible” to the immune system (immunogenic cell death) and sensitize them to chemo- and radiotherapy—an intriguing recipe for combination care now moving toward early trials. As highlighted in a 2022 study published in Trends in Biotechnology, these redox-based mechanisms are driving much of the excitement around CAP’s role in future cancer therapy.
Most medical CAP treatments today involve small handheld devices used in hospitals or clinics. But an innovative full-body system called the Human Regenerator Jet takes the concept further. This futuristic-looking bed surrounds the patient in a gentle field of cold atmospheric plasma, allowing CAP’s bioactive molecules to bathe the entire body at once.
For people with systemic autoimmune diseases or cancers that affect multiple areas, the Human Regenerator bed offers a practical way to deliver CAP beyond local spots on the skin or joints. Unlike handheld devices, this system creates an immersive CAP environment—non-invasive, painless, and designed for deep relaxation while the plasma does its work.
Though large-scale clinical studies are still underway, early use suggests the Human Regenerator could become a comfortable, accessible delivery system for people seeking whole-body CAP therapy.
CAP is not a cure-all, but it offers a fresh, science-backed approach by gently rebalancing and enhancing the body’s natural healing processes. In autoimmune conditions, it shows promise for calming inflammation and restoring balance, while in oncology it may add precision and power to existing therapies. With innovations such as the Human Regenerator Jet, CAP delivery is advancing quickly. This ground-breaking technology is available in specialty clinics providing patients with an accessible way to harness the healing potential of this gentle spark.
The Human Regenerator Jet is available at Hamptons BioMed, in both their Southampton and NYC locations. hamptonsbiomed.com