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Published on: December 15, 2010
Nanosecond Pulsed Bipolar Cancellation of the Killing Effect on Glioblastoma
Objective:
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest type of cancer and current clinical treatments for malignant gliomas have many side effects. The article discusses the possibility that nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) can be focused on tumors for local killing. As well as the possibility of utilizing the CANCAN (canceled bipolar) effect to reduce neurostimulation and thus overcome side effects such as seizures and edema.
Method:
In this paper, we use cell ablation and viability experiments to investigated the BPC (Bipolar cancellation) effect of U87-MG cells under the action of nsPEFs of various pulse numbers and the electric field amplitude.
Results:
The results showed that maximum BPC efficiency (163.9%) was obtained with nsPEFs of 15 kV/cm and 15 pulses, and unipolar nsPEFs of 20 kV/cm and 15 pulses were able to achieve a killing effect of 90% with cell suspension, then this electric field is used as a reference for the ablation experiments.
Conclusion:
Cell ablation experiments found that the electric field threshold of 3D (3D-like tissue) cell ablation (5.805 ± 1.455 kV/cm) is lower than that of monolayer wall cells (8.95 ± 0.75 kV/cm), which can cause a larger ablation area under the same pulsed electric field conditions. In addition, the BPC effect was more significant for 3D cells, but the trends of ablation area and BPC efficiency were similar when modulating the number of pulses.
Insights
Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) show promise for glioblastoma treatment by enabling local tumor cell killing. The bipolar cancellation (BPC) effect enhances efficacy in 3D cell models, suggesting reduced side effects and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options and significant side effects.
- Current therapies for malignant gliomas often result in adverse effects like seizures and edema.
- Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) offer a potential localized treatment modality for GBM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bipolar cancellation (BPC) effect of nsPEFs on U87-MG cells.
- To evaluate the efficacy of nsPEFs in cell ablation and viability.
- To explore the potential of nsPEFs to reduce neurostimulation and associated side effects.
Main Methods:
- Cell viability and ablation experiments were conducted using U87-MG cells.
- Varying numbers of pulses and electric field amplitudes of nsPEFs were applied.
- The bipolar cancellation (BPC) effect was analyzed under different nsPEF conditions.
Main Results:
- Maximum BPC efficiency of 163.9% was achieved with nsPEFs at 15 kV/cm and 15 pulses.
- Unipolar nsPEFs (20 kV/cm, 15 pulses) resulted in 90% cell killing in suspension.
- The electric field threshold for 3D cell ablation (5.805 ± 1.455 kV/cm) was lower than for monolayer cells (8.95 ± 0.75 kV/cm).
Conclusions:
- nsPEFs can effectively ablate glioblastoma cells, with a lower threshold for 3D cell structures.
- The BPC effect is more pronounced in 3D cell models, indicating potential for targeted therapy.
- Modulating pulse number impacts ablation area and BPC efficiency similarly in 3D models.
