Related Experiment Videos
Cancer cells ablation with irreversible electroporation
Liron Miller1, Jonathan Leor, Boris Rubinsky
1Neufeld Cardiac Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment
|November 19, 2005
Summary
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) offers a novel approach for cancer ablation. This study confirms a distinct electrical parameter domain for IRE cancer cell ablation, separate from thermal effects, achieving complete ablation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Irreversible electroporation (IRE) involves irreversible cell membrane permeabilization via electrical pulses.
- Historically, IRE was considered an undesirable outcome in gene therapy and electrochemotherapy.
- The potential overlap between IRE and Joule heating thermal ablation domains required investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore irreversible electroporation (IRE) as a distinct cancer tissue ablation technique.
- To identify a specific domain of electrical parameters for IRE cancer ablation.
- To differentiate IRE ablation from thermal ablation effects.
Main Methods:
- In vitro experiments using human hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2).
- Application of microsecond to millisecond electrical pulses.
- Systematic variation of electrical parameters to determine ablation thresholds.
Main Results:
- A distinct domain for IRE cancer cell ablation, separate from thermal effects, was identified.
- Complete cancer cell ablation was achieved using specific IRE parameters.
- Application of 1500 V/cm in three sets of ten 300-microsecond pulses proved effective.
Conclusions:
- Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a viable and distinct method for cancer ablation.
- Optimized electrical parameters enable effective cancer cell destruction via IRE.
- Pulsed application of IRE is more effective than single high-energy pulses for ablation.