Treatment of breast cancer through the application of irreversible electroporation using a novel minimally invasive single needle electrode.
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a therapeutic technology for the ablation of soft tissues using electrodes to deliver intense but short electric pulses across a cell membrane, creating nanopores that lead to cell death. This phenomenon only affects the cell membrane, leaving the extracellular matrix and sensitive structures intact, making it a promising technique for the treatment many types of tumors. In this paper, we present the first in vivo study to achieve tumor regression using a translatable, clinically relevant single needle electrode for treatment administration. Numerical models of the electric field distribution for the protocol used suggest that a 1000 V/cm field threshold is sufficient to treat a tumor, and that the electric field distribution will slightly decrease if the same protocol were used on a tumor deep seated within a human breast. Tumor regression was observed in 5 out of 7 MDA-MB231 human mammary tumors orthotopically implanted in female Nu/Nu mice, with continued growth in controls.
Neal
Robert E
RE
Bioelectromechanical Systems Lab, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, 329 ICTAS Building, MC0298, Stranger Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Singh
Ravi
R
Hatcher
Heather C
HC
Kock
Nancy D
ND
Torti
Suzy V
SV
Davalos
Rafael V
RV
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D053672:Electrochemotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009339:Needles; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays