title: Irreversible electroporation is a surgical ablation technique that enhances gene transfer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reversible electroporation has long been used to transfer macromolecules into target cells in the laboratory by using an electric field to induce transient membrane permeability. Recently, the electric field has been modulated to produce permanent membrane permeability and cell death. This novel technique, irreversible electroporation (IRE), is being developed for nonthermal cancer ablation. We hypothesize that outside the central zone of IRE exists a peripheral zone of reversible electroporation where gene transfer may occur.
  
  
  METHODS
  IRE of the liver was performed in a Yorkshire pig model with administration of a plasmid expressing the marker gene green fluorescent protein (GFP) by bolus or primed infusion through the hepatic artery or portal vein. After 6 hours, livers were harvested for fluorescent microscopy and histologic examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 36 liver specimens treated with IRE and the GFP plasmid, 31 demonstrated strong green fluorescence. Liver ablation by IRE was demarcated clearly on histology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IRE is a promising technique not only for operative tissue ablation but also for gene therapy. Because IRE ablation may leave behind intact tumor antigens, these findings encourage clinical studies of tumor ablation with delivery of immunostimulatory plasmids for combined local eradication and systemic immunotherapy.
authors: Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Joyce T
authors: JT
authors: Au
authors: Joyce
authors: J
authors: Wong
authors: Arjun
authors: A
authors: Mittra
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Carpenter
authors: Dana
authors: D
authors: Haddad
authors: Joshua
authors: J
authors: Carson
authors: Shiva
authors: S
authors: Jayaraman
authors: Sebastien
authors: S
authors: Monette
authors: Stephen B
authors: SB
authors: Solomon
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Ezell
authors: Yuman
authors: Y
authors: Fong
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013552:Swine; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting
chemical_list: D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins