Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the most aggressive malignancies of the biliary epithelium, characterised by rapid progression and a poor prognosis, with complete surgical resection remaining the only curative option. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) has recently emerged as a promising oncological technology, offering the unique advantage of localized, targeted tumour treatment while sparing surrounding healthy tissue — a critical limitation of conventional chemo- and radiotherapy. Despite this potential, the interaction between CAPP and tumour tissue remains poorly understood, and precise control of the electric field amplitudes and the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generated during treatment remains a major scientific and technical challenge. Current research is dominated by 1D, 2D, or axisymmetric models of plasma flow, which fail to capture the true complexity and heterogeneity of tumour physiology. Realistic representation of the coupled bio-physical phenomena governing plasma–tumour interaction requires full three-dimensional modelling.
This project proposes the development of a novel, open-source, full 3D multiphysics and multiscale in silico platform to simulate plasma flow and its biological effects within solid tumours. By providing a comprehensive, quantitative understanding of plasma species transport and their interaction with tumour tissue, the platform will enable the optimization of CAPP operational parameters, maximizing therapeutic efficacy while ensuring minimal damage to healthy tissue. In the long term, this framework is expected to yield critical insights into dose–response relationships between plasma intensity and cancer cell response, representing a significant step toward the clinical translation of CAPP as a treatment modality for cholangiocarcinoma.
