Development of a Three-Dimensional Multi-Modal Perfusion-Thermal Electrode System for Complete Tumor Eradication

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Devices
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Residual tumor cells at the periphery of ablated sites are a primary cause of tumor recurrence.
• Current thermal ablation methods struggle to eradicate these peripheral cells, leading to treatment failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel three-dimensional (3D) multi-modal perfusion-thermal electrode system.
• The system aims to completely eradicate medium-to-large malignancies by addressing residual tumor cells.

Main Methods:

• Design, production, and ex vivo evaluation of the perfusion-thermal electrode system.
• Mathematical modeling and computer simulation of temperature profiles.
• In vivo technical validation in rabbits with orthotopic liver tumors.

Main Results:

• Successful spherical distribution of motexafin gadolinium with a controlled temperature gradient (80°C to 42°C).
• High correlation (Pearson coefficient ≥0.977) between simulated and actual temperature profiles in animal models.
• Confirmed peritumoral distribution of indocyanine green (ICG) and increased heat shock protein 70 expression during simultaneous RF ablation and hyperthermia.

Conclusions:

• The novel 3D system enables simultaneous delivery of therapeutic agents and RF hyperthermia to peritumoral zones.
• This approach offers a new strategy to overcome the challenge of residual and recurrent tumors after thermal ablation.
• The system shows potential for treating unresectable, medium-to-large, and irregular tumors.