Polymer Nanoparticles Enhance Irreversible Electroporation In Vitro

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a cancer treatment modality.
• Expanding treatment volume often requires increased electrical parameters.
• Novel strategies are needed to enhance ablation efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the combined effect of polyethylenimine nanoparticles (PEI-NP) and pulsed electric field (PEF) treatments on ablation size.
• To determine if PEI-NPs enhance irreversible electroporation (IRE), high frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE), and nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF).

Main Methods:

• U118 cells in a 3D culture model were treated with IRE, H-FIRE, or nsPEF, with and without PEI-NPs.
• Ablation sizes were measured and mapped onto an electric field model.
• PEI-NP effects on media conductivity, degradation, and uptake were analyzed.

Main Results:

• PEI-NPs significantly increased ablation diameter for IRE and H-FIRE treatments.
• No significant increase in ablation size was observed for nsPEF with PEI-NPs.
• PEI-NPs did not alter media conductivity, showed no degradation, and had moderate uptake.

Conclusions:

• Cationic polymer nanoparticles like PEI-NP synergize with IRE and H-FIRE for enhanced cancer cell ablation.
• This approach offers a foundation for developing nanoparticles specifically for electroporation therapies.
• Further research into PEI-NP engineered for electroporation is warranted.