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Electroporation-Based Therapy for Brain Tumors: A Review
Zheng Fang1, Lingchao Chen2, Michael A J Moser3
1Energy-Based Tumor Ablation Laboratory, School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
|May 15, 2021
Summary
Electroporation-based therapy (EBT) shows promise for brain tumors, offering tumor ablation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. This review explores its safety, effectiveness, and challenges for clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Electroporation-based therapy (EBT) is a high-voltage-pulse technology with successful clinical outcomes for solid tumors.
- Brain tumors present unique challenges for treatment due to their location and the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and promote the clinical translation of EBT for brain tumor treatment.
- To discuss the mechanism, safety, effectiveness, and BBB disruption of EBT in preclinical brain tumor models.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies on EBT for brain tumors.
- Analysis of electroporation-induced cell membrane pore formation using a single-cell model.
- Evaluation of safety, effectiveness, and BBB disruption induced by EBT.
Main Results:
- EBT can achieve simultaneous tumor ablation via irreversible electroporation (IRE) and transient BBB disruption via reversible electroporation (RE).
- BBB disruption enhances the potential uptake of antitumor drugs, improving treatment efficacy.
- Preclinical studies indicate favorable safety and effectiveness profiles in animal models.
Conclusions:
- EBT offers a dual therapeutic approach for brain tumors, combining direct tumor destruction with enhanced drug delivery.
- Further research and discussion of challenges are needed to facilitate the clinical translation of EBT for human brain tumors.
