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Guo F, Zhou W, Luo Z. Numerical simulation of neural excitation during brain tumor ablation by microsecond pulses. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 160:108752. [PMID: 38852384 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Replacing monopolar pulse with bipolar pulses of the same energized time can minimize unnecessary neurological side effects during irreversible electroporation (IRE). An improved neural excitation model that considers dynamic conductivity and thermal effects during brain tumor IRE ablation was proposed for the first time in this study. Nerve fiber excitation during IRE ablation by applying a monopolar pulse (100 μs) and a burst of bipolar pulses (energized time of 100 μs with both the sub-pulse length and interphase delay of 1 μs) was investigated. Our results suggest that both thermal effects and dynamic conductivity change the onset time of action potential (AP), and dynamic conductivity also changes the hyperpolarization amplitude. Considering both thermal effects and dynamic conductivity, the hyperpolarization amplitude in nerve fibers located 2 cm from the tumor center was reduced by approximately 23.8 mV and the onset time of AP was delayed by approximately 17.5 μs when a 500 V monopolar pulse was applied. Moreover, bipolar pulses decreased the excitable volume of brain tissue by approximately 68.8 % compared to monopolar pulse. Finally, bipolar pulses cause local excitation with lesser damage to surrounding healthy tissue in complete tumor ablation, demonstrating the potential benefits of bipolar pulses in brain tissue ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Guo
- Institute of Ecological Safety, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China.
| | - Weina Zhou
- Institute of Ecological Safety, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Zhijun Luo
- Institute of Ecological Safety, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China
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2
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Mondal N, Dalal DC. A Model for Reversible Electroporation to Deliver Drugs into Diseased Tissues. J Membr Biol 2024:10.1007/s00232-024-00321-4. [PMID: 39133275 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-024-00321-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Drug delivery through electroporation could be highly beneficial for the treatment of different types of diseased tissues within the human body. In this work, a mathematical model of reversible tissue electroporation is presented for injecting drug into the diseased cells. The model emphasizes the tissue boundary where the drug is injected as a point source. In addition, the effect of drug loss at tissue boundaries through extracellular space is studied elaborately. Multiple pulses are applied to deliver a sufficient amount of drug into the targeted cells. The set of differential equations that model the physical circumstances are solved numerically. This model obtains a mass transfer coefficient (MTC), in terms of pore fraction coefficient and drug permeability that controls the drug transport from extracellular to intracellular space. The drug penetration throughout the tissue is captured for the application of different pulses. The boundary effects on drug concentration are highlighted in this study. The advocated model is able to perform homogeneous drug transport into the cells so that the affected tissue is treated completely. This model can be applied to optimize clinical experiments by avoiding the lengthy and costly in vivo and in vitro experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilay Mondal
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, The ICFAI University Tripura, Kamalghat, Agartala, Tripura, 799210, India.
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.
| | - D C Dalal
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
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Pan J, Wang X, Chiang CL, Ma Y, Cheng J, Bertani P, Lu W, Lee LJ. Joule heating and electroosmotic flow in cellular micro/nano electroporation. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:819-831. [PMID: 38235543 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00568b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Localized micro/nano-electroporation (MEP/NEP) shows tremendous potential in cell transfection with high cell viability, precise dose control, and good transfection efficacy. In MEP/NEP, micro or nanochannels are used to tailor the electric field distribution. Cells are positioned tightly by a micron or nanochannel, and the cargoes are delivered into the cell via the channel by electrophoresis (EP). Such confined geometries with micro and nanochannels are also widely used in sorting, isolation, and condensing of biomolecules and cells. Theoretical studies on the electrokinetic phenomena in these applications have been well established. However, for MEP/NEP applications, electrokinetic phenomena and their impact on the cell transfection efficiency and cell survival rate have not been studied comprehensively. In this work, we reveal the coupling between electric field, Joule heating, electroosmosis (EO), and EP in MEP/NEP at different channel sizes. A microfluidic biochip is used to investigate the electrokinetic phenomena in MEP/NEP on a single cell level. Bubble formation is observed at a threshold voltage due to Joule heating. The bubble is pushed to the cargo side due to EO and grows at the outlet of the nanochannel. As the voltage increases, the cargo transport efficiency decreases due to more intense EO, particularly for plasmid DNAs (3.5 kbp) with a low EP mobility. An 'electroporation zone' is defined for NEP/MEP systems with different channel sizes to avoid bubble formation and excessive EO velocity that may reduce the cargo delivery efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Pan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Chi-Ling Chiang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Yifan Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Junao Cheng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Paul Bertani
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Wu Lu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - L James Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
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Fesmire CC, Peal B, Ruff J, Moyer E, McParland TJ, Derks K, O’Neil E, Emke C, Johnson B, Ghosh S, Petrella RA, DeWitt MR, Prange T, Fogle C, Sano MB. Investigation of integrated time nanosecond pulse irreversible electroporation against spontaneous equine melanoma. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1232650. [PMID: 38352036 PMCID: PMC10861690 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1232650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Integrated time nanosecond pulse irreversible electroporation (INSPIRE) is a novel tumor ablation modality that employs high voltage, alternating polarity waveforms to induce cell death in a well-defined volume while sparing the underlying tissue. This study aimed to demonstrate the in vivo efficacy of INSPIRE against spontaneous melanoma in standing, awake horses. Methods A custom applicator and a pulse generation system were utilized in a pilot study to treat horses presenting with spontaneous melanoma. INSPIRE treatments were administered to 32 tumors across 6 horses and an additional 13 tumors were followed to act as untreated controls. Tumors were tracked over a 43-85 day period following a single INSPIRE treatment. Pulse widths of 500ns and 2000ns with voltages between 1000 V and 2000 V were investigated to determine the effect of these variables on treatment outcomes. Results Treatments administered at the lowest voltage (1000 V) reduced tumor volumes by 11 to 15%. Higher voltage (2000 V) treatments reduced tumor volumes by 84 to 88% and eliminated 33% and 80% of tumors when 500 ns and 2000 ns pulses were administered, respectively. Discussion Promising results were achieved without the use of chemotherapeutics, the use of general anesthesia, or the need for surgical resection in regions which are challenging to keep sterile. This novel therapeutic approach has the potential to expand the role of pulsed electric fields in veterinary patients, especially when general anesthesia is contraindicated, and warrants future studies to demonstrate the efficacy of INSPIRE as a solid tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris C. Fesmire
- Bioelectricity Lab, UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Bridgette Peal
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Jennifer Ruff
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Elizabeth Moyer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Thomas J. McParland
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Kobi Derks
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Erin O’Neil
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Carrie Emke
- Clinical Studies Core, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Brianna Johnson
- Clinical Studies Core, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Shatorupa Ghosh
- Bioelectricity Lab, UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Ross A. Petrella
- Bioelectricity Lab, UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Matthew R. DeWitt
- Bioelectricity Lab, UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Timo Prange
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Callie Fogle
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Michael B. Sano
- Bioelectricity Lab, UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States
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Gabay B, Levkov K, Berl A, Wise J, Shir-Az O, Vitkin E, Saulis G, Shalom A, Golberg A. Electroporation-Based Biopsy Treatment Planning with Numerical Models and Tissue Phantoms. Ann Biomed Eng 2024; 52:71-88. [PMID: 37154990 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03208-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Molecular sampling with vacuum-assisted tissue electroporation is a novel, minimally invasive method for molecular profiling of solid lesions. In this paper, we report on the design of the battery-powered pulsed electric field generator and electrode configuration for an electroporation-based molecular sampling device for skin cancer diagnostics. Using numerical models of skin electroporation corroborated by the potato tissue phantom model, we show that the electroporated tissue volume, which is the maximum volume for biomarker sampling, strongly depends on the electrode's geometry, needle electrode skin penetration depths, and the applied pulsed electric field protocol. In addition, using excised human basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tissues, we show that diffusion of proteins out of human BCC tissues into water strongly depends on the strength of the applied electric field and on the time after the field application. The developed numerical simulations, confirmed by experiments in potato tissue phantoms and excised human cancer lesions, provide essential tools for the development of electroporation-based molecular markers sampling devices for personalized skin cancer diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batel Gabay
- Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Klimentiy Levkov
- Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ariel Berl
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Sava, Israel
| | - Julia Wise
- Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofir Shir-Az
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Sava, Israel
| | - Edward Vitkin
- Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gintautas Saulis
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Avshalom Shalom
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Sava, Israel
| | - Alexander Golberg
- Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Mondal N, Dalal DC. Modelling of reversible tissue electroporation and its thermal effects in drug delivery. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 190:47-57. [PMID: 37459904 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Electroporation is a very useful tool for drug delivery into various diseased tissues of the human body. This technique helps to improve the clinical treatment by transferring drugs into the targeted cells rapidly. In electroporation, drug particles enter easily into the intracellular compartment through the temporarily permeabilized cell membrane due to the applied electric field. In this work, a mathematical model of drug delivery focusing on reversible tissue electroporation is presented. In addition, the thermal effects on the tissue, which is an outcome of Joule heating, are also considered. This model introduces a time-dependent mass transfer coefficient, which is significant to drug transport. Multiple pulses with low voltage are applied to reach sufficient drugs into the targeted cells. Based on the physical circumstances, a set of differential equations are considered and solved. The changes in drug concentration with different parameters (e.g., diffusion coefficient, drug permeability, pulse length, and pulse number) are analyzed. The model optimizes the electroporation parameters to uptake sufficient drugs into the cells with no thermal damage. This model can be used in clinical experiments to predict drug uptake into the infected cells by controlling the model parameters according to the nature of infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilay Mondal
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, North Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India; Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, The ICFAI University Tripura, West Tripura, Agartala 799210, Tripura, India.
| | - D C Dalal
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, North Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
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Hogenes AM, Slump CH, te Riet o. g. Scholten GA, Stommel MWJ, Fütterer JJ, Verdaasdonk RM. The Effect of Partial Electrical Insulation of the Tip and Active Needle Length of Monopolar Irreversible Electroporation Electrodes on the Electric Field Line Pattern and Temperature Gradient to Improve Treatment Control. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4280. [PMID: 37686556 PMCID: PMC10486353 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Unintentional local temperature effects can occur during irreversible electroporation (IRE) treatment, especially near the electrodes, and most frequently near the tip. Partial electrical insulation of the IRE electrodes could possibly control these temperature effects. This study investigated and visualized the effect of partial electrical insulation applied to the IRE electrodes on the electric field line pattern and temperature gradient. Six designs of (partial) electrical insulation of the electrode tip and/or active needle length (ANL) of the original monopolar 19G IRE electrodes were investigated. A semolina in castor oil model was used to visualize the electric field line pattern in a high-voltage static electric field. An optical method to visualize a change in temperature gradient (color Schlieren) was used to image the temperature development in a polyacrylamide gel. Computational models were used to support the experimental findings. Around the electrode tip, the highest electric field line density and temperature gradient were present. The more insulation was applied to the electrodes, the higher the resistance. Tip and ANL insulation together reduced the active area of and around the electrodes, resulting in a visually enlarged area that showed a change in temperature gradient. Electrically insulating the electrode tip together with an adjustment in IRE parameter settings could potentially reduce the uncontrollable influence of the tip and may improve the predictability of the current pathway development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemiek M. Hogenes
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101 (766), 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H. Slump
- Department of Robotics and Mechatronics, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | | | - Martijn W. J. Stommel
- Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jurgen J. Fütterer
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101 (766), 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Robotics and Mechatronics, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Rudolf M. Verdaasdonk
- Department of Health Technology Implementation, TechMed Center, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
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Jacobs IV EJ, Graybill PM, Jana A, Agashe A, Nain AS, Davalos RV. Engineering high post-electroporation viabilities and transfection efficiencies for elongated cells on suspended nanofiber networks. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 152:108415. [PMID: 37011476 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The impact of cell shape on cell membrane permeabilization by pulsed electric fields is not fully understood. For certain applications, cell survival and recovery post-treatment is either desirable, as in gene transfection, electrofusion, and electrochemotherapy, or is undesirable, as in tumor and cardiac ablations. Understanding of how morphology affects cell viability post-electroporation may lead to improved electroporation methods. In this study, we use precisely aligned nanofiber networks within a microfluidic device to reproducibly generate elongated cells with controlled orientations to an applied electric field. We show that cell viability is significantly dependent on cell orientation, elongation, and spread. Further, these trends are dependent on the external buffer conductivity. Additionally, we see that cell survival for elongated cells is still supported by the standard pore model of electroporation. Lastly, we see that manipulating the cell orientation and shape can be leveraged for increased transfection efficiencies when compared to spherical cells. An improved understanding of cell shape and pulsation buffer conductivity may lead to improved methods for enhancing cell viability post-electroporation by engineering the cell morphology, cytoskeleton, and electroporation buffer conditions.
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Agnass P, Rodermond HM, van Veldhuisen E, Vogel JA, Ten Cate R, van Lienden KP, van Gulik TM, Franken NAP, Oei AL, Kok HP, Besselink MG, Crezee J. Quantitative analysis of contribution of mild and moderate hyperthermia to thermal ablation and sensitization of irreversible electroporation of pancreatic cancer cells. J Therm Biol 2023; 115:103619. [PMID: 37437370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an ablation modality that applies short, high-voltage electric pulses to unresectable cancers. Although considered a non-thermal technique, temperatures do increase during IRE. This temperature rise sensitizes tumor cells for electroporation as well as inducing partial direct thermal ablation. AIM To evaluate the extent to which mild and moderate hyperthermia enhance electroporation effects, and to establish and validate in a pilot study cell viability models (CVM) as function of both electroporation parameters and temperature in a relevant pancreatic cancer cell line. METHODS Several IRE-protocols were applied at different well-controlled temperature levels (37 °C ≤ T ≤ 46 °C) to evaluate temperature dependent cell viability at enhanced temperatures in comparison to cell viability at T = 37 °C. A realistic sigmoid CVM function was used based on thermal damage probability with Arrhenius Equation and cumulative equivalent minutes at 43 °C (CEM43°C) as arguments, and fitted to the experimental data using "Non-linear-least-squares"-analysis. RESULTS Mild (40 °C) and moderate (46 °C) hyperthermic temperatures boosted cell ablation with up to 30% and 95%, respectively, mainly around the IRE threshold Eth,50% electric-field strength that results in 50% cell viability. The CVM was successfully fitted to the experimental data. CONCLUSION Both mild- and moderate hyperthermia significantly boost the electroporation effect at electric-field strengths neighboring Eth,50%. Inclusion of temperature in the newly developed CVM correctly predicted both temperature-dependent cell viability and thermal ablation for pancreatic cancer cells exposed to a relevant range of electric-field strengths/pulse parameters and mild moderate hyperthermic temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Agnass
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Surgery, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - H M Rodermond
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Experimental Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - E van Veldhuisen
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Surgery, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - J A Vogel
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - R Ten Cate
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Experimental Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - K P van Lienden
- Department of Intervention Radiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
| | - T M van Gulik
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Surgery, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - N A P Franken
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Experimental Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - A L Oei
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Experimental Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - H P Kok
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Treatment and Quality of Life, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - M G Besselink
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Surgery, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - J Crezee
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Treatment and Quality of Life, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Mondal N, Yadav KS, Dalal DC. Enhanced Drug Uptake on Application of Electroporation in a Single-Cell Model. J Membr Biol 2023; 256:243-255. [PMID: 36988647 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-023-00283-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Electroporation method is a useful tool for delivering drugs into various diseased tissues in the human body. As a result of an applied electric field, drug particles enter the intracellular compartment through the temporarily permeabilized cell membrane. Consequently, electroporation method allows better penetration of the drug into the diseased tissue and improves treatment clinically. In this study, a more generalized model of drug transport in a single cell is proposed. The model is able to capture non-homogeneous drug transport in the cell due to non-uniform cell membrane permeabilization. Several numerical experiments are conducted to understand the effects of electric field and drug permeability on drug uptake into the cell. Through investigation, the appropriate electric field and drug permeability are identified, which lead to sufficient drug uptake into the cell. This model can be used by experimentalists to get information prior to conduct any experiment, and it may help reduce the number of actual experiments that might be conducted otherwise.
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Kurata K, Naito H, Takamatsu H. Feasibility of Concentric Electrodes in Contact Irreversible Electroporation for Superficial Lesion Treatment. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2022; 69:2480-2487. [PMID: 35226598 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2022.3154788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
<i>Objective:</i> Contact irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a method for ablating cells by applying electric pulses via surface electrodes in contact with a target tissue. To facilitate the application of the contact IRE to superficial lesion treatment, this study further extended the ablation depth, which had been limited to a 400-m depth in our previous study, by using concentric electrodes. <i>Methods:</i> A prototype device of concentric electrodes was manufactured using a Teflon-coated copper wire inserted in a copper tube. The ablation area was experimentally determined using a tissue phantom comprising 3D cultured fibroblasts and compared with the electric field distribution obtained using numerical analyses. </i>Results:</i> Experiments showed that cells 540 m from the surface of the tissue phantom were necrotized by the application of 150 pulses at 100 V. The outline of the ablation area agreed well with the contour line of 0.4 kV/cm acquired by the analyses. The ablation depth predicted for the concentric electrode using this critical electric field was 1.4 times deeper than that for the parallel electrode. For the actual application of treatment, a multiple-electrode device that bundles several pairs of concentric electrodes was developed, and confirmed that to be effective for treating wide areas with a single treatment. <i>Conclusion:</i> The electric field estimated by the analyses with the experimentally determined threshold confirmed that concentric electrodes could attain a deeper ablation than parallel electrodes. <i>Significance:</i> Using the concentric electrodes, we were able to localize ablation to specific target cells with much less damage to neighboring cells.
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Mondal N, Chakravarty K, Dalal DC. A mathematical model of drug dynamics in an electroporated tissue. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2021; 18:8641-8660. [PMID: 34814317 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2021428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In order to overcome the obstruction of cell membranes in the path of drug delivery to diseased cells, the applications of electric pulses of adequate potency are designated as electroporation. In the present study, a mathematical model of drug delivery into the electroporated tissue is advocated, which deals with both reversibly and irreversibly electroporated cells. This mathematical formulation is manifested through a set of differential equations, which are solved analytically, and numerically, according to the complexity, with a pertinent set of initial and boundary conditions. The time-dependent mass transfer coefficient in terms of pores is used to find the drug concentrations through reversibly and irreversibly electroporated cells as well as extracellular space. The effects of permeability of drug, electric field and pulse period on drug concentrations in extracellular and intracellular regions are discussed. The threshold value of an electric field (E>100 V cm-1) to initiate drug uptake is identified in this study. Special emphasis is also put on two cases of electroporation, drug dynamics during ongoing electroporation and drug dynamics after the electric pulse period is over. Furthermore, all the simulated results and graphical portrayals are discussed in detail to have a transparent vision in comprehending the underlying physical and physiological phenomena. This model could be useful to various clinical experiments for drug delivery in the targeted tissue by controlling the model parameters depending on the tissue condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilay Mondal
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Koyel Chakravarty
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, ICFAI University Tripura, Tripura 799210, India
| | - D C Dalal
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
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Weinert RL, Knabben MA, Pereira EM, Garcia CE, Ramos A. Dynamic Electroporation Model Evaluation on Rabbit Tissues. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:2503-2512. [PMID: 34169397 PMCID: PMC8224995 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02816-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Biological electroporation is a process of opening pores in the cell membrane when exposed to intense electric fields. This work provides results for validation of a dynamic model of electroporation on biological tissues. Computational simulations were carried out and results for the electrical current through the tissue and increase of the tissue temperature were compared to experimental results. Two calculation methods were used: Equivalent Circuit Method and Finite Element Method. With Equivalent Circuit Method the dielectric dispersion present in biological tissues was included. Liver, kidney and heart of rabbit were used in the experiments. Voltage pulse protocols and voltage ramps were applied using stainless steel needles electrodes. There is good agreement between the simulated and experimental results with mean errors below 15%, with the simulated results within the experimental standard deviation. Only for the protocol with fundamental frequency of 50 kHz, the simulation performed by the Finite Element Method using a commercial software did not correctly represent the current, with errors reaching 50%. The justification for the error found is due to the dielectric dispersion that was not included in this simulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Lauro Weinert
- Applied Electromagnetic Research Group, Department of Electrical Engineering, State University of Santa Catarina - UDESC, Paulo Malschitzki, 200 - Campus Universitário Prof. Avelino Marcante, Zona Industrial Norte, Joinville, SC, CEP - 89219-710, Brazil.
| | - Marcel Augusto Knabben
- Applied Electromagnetic Research Group, Department of Electrical Engineering, State University of Santa Catarina - UDESC, Paulo Malschitzki, 200 - Campus Universitário Prof. Avelino Marcante, Zona Industrial Norte, Joinville, SC, CEP - 89219-710, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Manoel Pereira
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Joinville Region - UNIVILLE, Paulo Malschitzki, 10 - Zona Industrial Norte, Joinville, SC, CEP 89201-972, Brazil
| | - Christian Evangelista Garcia
- Department of Medicine, University of Joinville Region - UNIVILLE, Paulo Malschitzki, 10 - Zona Industrial Norte, Joinville, SC, CEP 89201-972, Brazil
| | - Airton Ramos
- Applied Electromagnetic Research Group, Department of Electrical Engineering, State University of Santa Catarina - UDESC, Paulo Malschitzki, 200 - Campus Universitário Prof. Avelino Marcante, Zona Industrial Norte, Joinville, SC, CEP - 89219-710, Brazil
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14
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Meglič SH, Pavlin M. The impact of impaired DNA mobility on gene electrotransfer efficiency: analysis in 3D model. Biomed Eng Online 2021; 20:85. [PMID: 34419072 PMCID: PMC8379608 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-021-00922-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gene electrotransfer is an established method that enables transfer of DNA into cells with electric pulses. Several studies analyzed and optimized different parameters of gene electrotransfer, however, one of main obstacles toward efficient electrotransfection in vivo is relatively poor DNA mobility in tissues. Our aim was to analyze the effect of impaired mobility on gene electrotransfer efficiency experimentally and theoretically. We applied electric pulses with different durations on plated cells, cells grown on collagen layer and cells embedded in collagen gel (3D model) and analyzed gene electrotransfer efficiency. In order to analyze the effect of impaired mobility on gene electrotransfer efficiency, we applied electric pulses with different durations on plated cells, cells grown on collagen layer and cells embedded in collagen gel (3D model) and analyzed gene electrotransfer efficiency. Results We obtained the highest transfection in plated cells, while transfection efficiency of embedded cells in 3D model was lowest, similarly as in in vivo. To further analyze DNA diffusion in 3D model, we applied DNA on top or injected it into 3D model and showed, that for the former gene electrotransfer efficiency was similarly as in in vivo. The experimental results are explained with theoretical analysis of DNA diffusion and electromobility. Conclusion We show, empirically and theoretically that DNA has impaired electromobility and especially diffusion in collagen environment, where the latter crucially limits electrotransfection. Our model enables optimization of gene electrotransfer in in vitro conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saša Haberl Meglič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Laboratory of Biocybernetics, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Pavlin
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biophysics, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Group for Nano and Biotechnological Applications, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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15
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Aycock KN, Zhao Y, Lorenzo MF, Davalos RV. A Theoretical Argument for Extended Interpulse Delays in Therapeutic High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation Treatments. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2021; 68:1999-2010. [PMID: 33400646 PMCID: PMC8291206 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2021.3049221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) is a tissue ablation modality employing bursts of electrical pulses in a positive phase-interphase delay (d1)-negative phase-interpulse delay (d2) pattern. Despite accumulating evidence suggesting the significance of these delays, their effects on therapeutic outcomes from clinically-relevant H-FIRE waveforms have not been studied extensively. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether modifications to the delays within H-FIRE bursts could yield a more desirable clinical outcome in terms of ablation volume versus extent of tissue excitation. METHODS We used a modified spatially extended nonlinear node (SENN) nerve fiber model to evaluate excitation thresholds for H-FIRE bursts with varying delays. We then calculated non-thermal tissue ablation, thermal damage, and excitation in a clinically relevant numerical model. RESULTS Excitation thresholds were maximized by shortening d1, and extension of d2 up to 1,000 μs increased excitation thresholds by at least 60% versus symmetric bursts. In the ablation model, long interpulse delays lowered the effective frequency of burst waveforms, modulating field redistribution and reducing heat production. Finally, we demonstrate mathematically that variable delays allow for increased voltages and larger ablations with similar extents of excitation as symmetric waveforms. CONCLUSION Interphase and interpulse delays play a significant role in outcomes resulting from H-FIRE treatment. SIGNIFICANCE Waveforms with short interphase delays (d1) and extended interpulse delays (d2) may improve therapeutic efficacy of H-FIRE as it emerges as a clinical tissue ablation modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth N. Aycock
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
| | - Yajun Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
| | - Melvin F. Lorenzo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
| | - Rafael V. Davalos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
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16
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Potočnik T, Miklavčič D, Maček Lebar A. Gene transfer by electroporation with high frequency bipolar pulses in vitro. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 140:107803. [PMID: 33975183 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
High-frequency bipolar pulses (HF-BP) have been demonstrated to be efficient for membrane permeabilization and irreversible electroporation. Since membrane permeabilization has been achieved using HF-BP pulses we hypothesized that with these pulses we can also achieve successful gene electrotransfer (GET). Three variations of bursts of 2 µs bipolar pulses with 2 µs interphase delay were applied in HF-BP protocols. We compared transfection efficiency of monopolar micro and millisecond pulses and HF-BP protocols at various plasmid DNA (pDNA) concentrations on CHO - K1 cells. GET efficiency increased with increasing pDNA concentration. Overall GET obtained by HF-BP pulse protocols was comparable to overall GET obtained by longer monopolar pulse protocols. Our results, however, suggest that although we were able to achieve similar percent of transfected cells, the number of pDNA copies that were successfully transferred into cells seemed to be higher when longer monopolar pulses were used. Interestingly, we did not observe any direct correlation between fluorescence intensity of pDNA aggregates formed on cell membrane and transfection efficiency. The results of our study confirmed that we can achieve successful GET with bipolar microsecond i. e. HF-BP pulses, although at the expense of higher pDNA concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tjaša Potočnik
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Maček Lebar
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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17
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OpenEP: an open-source simulator for electroporation-based tumor treatments. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1423. [PMID: 33446750 PMCID: PMC7809294 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79858-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroporation (EP), the increase of cell membrane permeability due to the application of electric pulses, is a universal phenomenon with a broad range of applications. In medicine, some of the foremost EP-based tumor treatments are electrochemotherapy (ECT), irreversible electroporation, and gene electrotransfer (GET). The electroporation phenomenon is explained as the formation of cell membrane pores when a transmembrane cell voltage reaches a threshold value. Predicting the outcome of an EP-based tumor treatment consists of finding the electric field distribution with an electric threshold value covering the tumor (electroporated tissue). Threshold and electroporated tissue are also a function of the number of pulses, constituting a complex phenomenon requiring mathematical modeling. We present OpenEP, an open-source specific purpose simulator for EP-based tumor treatments, modeling among other variables, threshold, and electroporated tissue variations in time. Distributed under a free/libre user license, OpenEP allows the customization of tissue type; electrode geometry and material; pulse type, intensity, length, and frequency. OpenEP facilitates the prediction of an optimal EP-based protocol, such as ECT or GET, defined as the critical pulse dosage yielding maximum electroporated tissue with minimal damage. OpenEP displays a highly efficient shared memory implementation by taking advantage of parallel resources; this permits a rapid prediction of optimal EP-based treatment efficiency by pulse number tuning.
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18
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Kulbacka J, Chodaczek G, Rossowska J, Szewczyk A, Saczko J, Bazylińska U. Investigating the photodynamic efficacy of chlorin e6 by millisecond pulses in metastatic melanoma cells. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 138:107728. [PMID: 33434787 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is considered the most aggressive type of skin cancer, still without effective treatment. Thus, alternative therapeutic methods are still in demand, and electroporation-supported photodynamic therapy (EP-PDT) of cancer cells seems a promising approach. New developments in EP-PDT aim at enhanced tumor selectivity and biocompatibility by applying a second-generation photosensitizer, i.e., Chlorin e6 (Ce6). We have verified the improved photodynamic effect of Ce6 on skin cancer melanoma (Me45) cells and control (CHO-K1) cells. In this study, we applied 1 or 5 pulses of 10 ms duration and assessed the EP-PDT effect with a variety of tests, such as singlet oxygen scavenger (ABMDMA) photooxidation, oxidoreductive potential measurements, kinetic measurements with fluorescent microscopy, photosensitizer uptake studies, lipid peroxidation level, and actin fibers organization. The optimization of photosensitizer uptake as a function of temperature was also performed. Our results indicated efficient Ce6 delivery into Me45 cells and good photodynamic efficiency enhanced by the electroporation of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Chodaczek
- Łukasiewicz Research Network - PORT Polish Center for Technology Development, Bioimaging Laboratory, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Rossowska
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Szewczyk
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Wroclaw, Poland; Department of Animal Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jolanta Saczko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Urszula Bazylińska
- Department of Physical and Quantum Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland
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19
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Physiological changes may dominate the electrical properties of liver during reversible electroporation: Measurements and modelling. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 136:107627. [PMID: 32784102 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This study presents electrical measurements (both conductivity during the pulses and impedance spectroscopy before and after) performed in liver tissue of mice during electroporation with classical electrochemotherapy conditions (8 pulses of 100 µs duration). A four-needle electrode arrangement inserted in the tissue was used for the measurements. The undesirable effects of the four-electrode geometry, notably concerning its sensitivity, were quantified and discussed showing how the electrode geometry chosen for the measurements can impact the results. Numerical modelling was applied to the information collected during the pulse, and to the impedance spectra acquired before and after the pulses sequence. Our results show that the numerical results were not consistent, suggesting that other collateral phenomena not considered in the model are at work during electroporation in vivo. We show how the modification in the volume of the intra and extra cellular media, likely caused by the vascular lock effect, could at least partially explain the recorded impedance evolution. In the present study we demonstrate the significant impact that physiological effects have on impedance changes following electroporation at the tissue scale and the potential need of introducing them into the numerical models. The code for the numerical model is publicly available at https://gitlab.inria.fr/poignard/4-electrode-system.
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20
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Kiełbik A, Szlasa W, Saczko J, Kulbacka J. Electroporation-Based Treatments in Urology. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2208. [PMID: 32784598 PMCID: PMC7465806 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The observation that an application of a pulsed electric field (PEF) resulted in an increased permeability of the cell membrane has led to the discovery of the phenomenon called electroporation (EP). Depending on the parameters of the electric current and cell features, electroporation can be either reversible or irreversible. The irreversible electroporation (IRE) found its use in urology as a non-thermal ablative method of prostate and renal cancer. As its mechanism is based on the permeabilization of cell membrane phospholipids, IRE (as well as other treatments based on EP) provides selectivity sparing extracellular proteins and matrix. Reversible EP enables the transfer of genes, drugs, and small exogenous proteins. In clinical practice, reversible EP can locally increase the uptake of cytotoxic drugs such as cisplatin and bleomycin. This approach is known as electrochemotherapy (ECT). Few in vivo and in vitro trials of ECT have been performed on urological cancers. EP provides the possibility of transmission of genes across the cell membrane. As the protocols of gene electrotransfer (GET) over the last few years have improved, EP has become a well-known technique for non-viral cell transfection. GET involves DNA transfection directly to the cancer or the host skin and muscle tissue. Among urological cancers, the GET of several plasmids encoding prostate cancer antigens has been investigated in clinical trials. This review brings into discussion the underlying mechanism of EP and an overview of the latest progress and development perspectives of EP-based treatments in urology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander Kiełbik
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.K.); (W.S.)
| | - Wojciech Szlasa
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.K.); (W.S.)
| | - Jolanta Saczko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
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21
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Petrella RA, Fesmire CC, Kaufman JD, Topasna N, Sano MB. Algorithmically Controlled Electroporation: A Technique for Closed Loop Temperature Regulated Pulsed Electric Field Cancer Ablation. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2020; 67:2176-2186. [PMID: 32673194 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2019.2956537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a closed-loop temperature based feedback algorithm on ablative outcomes for pulsed electric field treatments. METHODS A 3D tumor model of glioblastoma was used to assess the impact of 2 μs duration bipolar waveforms on viability following exposure to open and closed-loop protocols. Closed-loop treatments evaluated transient temperature increases of 5, 10, 15, or 22 °C above baseline. RESULTS The temperature controlled ablation diameters were conditionally different than the open-loop treatments and closed-loop treatments generally produced smaller ablations. Closed-loop control enabled the investigation of treatments with steady state 42 °C hyperthermic conditions which were not feasible without active feedback. Baseline closed-loop treatments at 20 °C resulted in ablations measuring 9.9 ± 0.3 mm in diameter while 37 °C treatments were 20% larger (p < 0.0001) measuring 11.8 ± 0.3 mm indicating that this protocol induces a thermally mediated biological response. CONCLUSION A closed-loop control algorithm which modulated the delay between successive pulse waveforms to achieve stable target temperatures was demonstrated. Algorithmic control enabled the evaluation of specific treatment parameters at physiological temperatures not possible with open-loop systems due to excessive Joule heating. SIGNIFICANCE Irreversible electroporation is generally considered to be a non-thermal ablation modality and temperature monitoring is not part of the standard clinical practice. The results of this study indicate ablative outcomes due to exposure to pulses on the order of one microsecond may be thermally mediated and dependent on local tissue temperatures. The results of this study set the foundation for experiments in vivo utilizing temperature control algorithms.
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22
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Graybill PM, Davalos RV. Cytoskeletal Disruption after Electroporation and Its Significance to Pulsed Electric Field Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1132. [PMID: 32366043 PMCID: PMC7281591 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) have become clinically important through the success of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), Electrochemotherapy (ECT), and nanosecond PEFs (nsPEFs) for the treatment of tumors. PEFs increase the permeability of cell membranes, a phenomenon known as electroporation. In addition to well-known membrane effects, PEFs can cause profound cytoskeletal disruption. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of cytoskeletal disruption after PEFs. Compiling available studies, we describe PEF-induced cytoskeletal disruption and possible mechanisms of disruption. Additionally, we consider how cytoskeletal alterations contribute to cell-cell and cell-substrate disruption. We conclude with a discussion of cytoskeletal disruption-induced anti-vascular effects of PEFs and consider how a better understanding of cytoskeletal disruption after PEFs may lead to more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M. Graybill
- BEMS Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Rafael V. Davalos
- BEMS Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Virginia Tech–Wake Forest University, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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23
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Wasson EM, Alinezhadbalalami N, Brock RM, Allen IC, Verbridge SS, Davalos RV. Understanding the role of calcium-mediated cell death in high-frequency irreversible electroporation. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 131:107369. [PMID: 31706114 PMCID: PMC10039453 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.107369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) is an emerging electroporation-based therapy used to ablate cancerous tissue. Treatment consists of delivering short, bipolar pulses (1-10μs) in a series of 80-100 bursts (1 burst/s, 100μs on-time). Reducing pulse duration leads to reduced treatment volumes compared to traditional IRE, therefore larger voltages must be applied to generate ablations comparable in size. We show that adjuvant calcium enhances ablation area in vitro for H-FIRE treatments of several pulse durations (1, 2, 5, 10μs). Furthermore, H-FIRE treatment using 10μs pulses delivered with 1mM CaCl2 results in cell death thresholds (771±129V/cm) comparable to IRE thresholds without calcium (698±103V/cm). Quantifying the reversible electroporation threshold revealed that CaCl2 enhances the permeabilization of cells compared to a NaCl control. Gene expression analysis determined that CaCl2 upregulates expression of eIFB5 and 60S ribosomal subunit genes while downregulating NOX1/4, leading to increased signaling in pathways that may cause necroptosis. The opposite was found for control treatment without CaCl2 suggesting cells experience an increase in pro survival signaling. Our study is the first to identify key genes and signaling pathways responsible for differences in cell response to H-FIRE treatment with and without calcium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa M Wasson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Goodwin Hall, 635 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Kelly Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Nastaran Alinezhadbalalami
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech- Wake Forest University, 325 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Kelly Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Rebecca M Brock
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, 1 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016, United States of America; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Irving C Allen
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, 1 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016, United States of America; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Kelly Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Scott S Verbridge
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech- Wake Forest University, 325 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Kelly Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Rafael V Davalos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Goodwin Hall, 635 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech- Wake Forest University, 325 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Kelly Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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24
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Polajžer T, Dermol-Černe J, Reberšek M, O'Connor R, Miklavčič D. Cancellation effect is present in high-frequency reversible and irreversible electroporation. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 132:107442. [PMID: 31923714 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.107442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
It was recently suggested that applying high-frequency short biphasic pulses (HF-IRE) reduces pain and muscle contractions in electrochemotherapy and irreversible ablation treatments; however, higher amplitudes with HF-IRE pulses are required to achieve a similar effect as with monophasic pulses. HF-IRE pulses are in the range of a microseconds, thus, the so-called cancellation effect could be responsible for the need to apply pulses of higher amplitudes. In cancellation effect, the effect of first pulse is reduced by the second pulse of opposite polarity. We evaluated cancellation effect with high-frequency biphasic pulses on CHO-K1 in different electroporation buffers. We applied eight bursts of 1-10 µs long pulses with inter-phase delays of 0.5 µs - 10 ms and evaluated membrane permeability and cell survival. In permeability experiments, cancellation effect was not observed in low-conductivity buffer. Cancellation effect was, however, observed in treatments with high-frequency biphasic pulses looking at survival in all of the tested electroporation buffers. In general, cancellation effect depended on inter-phase delay as well as on pulse duration, i.e. longer pulses and longer interphase delay cause less pronounced cancellation effect. Cancellation effect could be partially explained by the assisted discharge and not by the hyperpolarization by the chloride channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Polajžer
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Dermol-Černe
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Reberšek
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rodney O'Connor
- École des Mines de Saint-Étienne, Department of Bioelectronics, Georges Charpak Campus, Centre Microélectronique de Provence, 880 Route de Mimet, 13120 Gardanne, France
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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25
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Lee JM, Choi HS, Kim ES, Keum B, Seo YS, Jeen YT, Lee HS, Chun HJ, Um SH, Kim CD, Kim HB. Characterization of irreversible electroporation on the stomach: A feasibility study in rats. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9094. [PMID: 31235753 PMCID: PMC6591231 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45659-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a newly developed non-thermal ablative therapy. During the IRE procedure, the permeability of the cell membrane is irreversibly changed by application of high-energy pulses across the tissue. This induces the breakdown of cell homeostasis, and thereby cell death. Here, we present an in vivo study to demonstrate IRE ablation of gastric tissue and characterize the changes that occur with time therein. No significant complications were observed in the test rats during the experiment. The electroporated tissues exhibited apoptosis at 10, 24 and 48 h after IRE ablation. The apoptosis peaked at 10 h after IRE and then declined, suggesting that the ablated tissue rapidly recovered owing to intense metabolic activity. In addition, the electroporated tissues exhibited morphological changes such as pyknosis and karyorrhexis, while histological analysis showed that the blood vessels were preserved. Interestingly, electroporation greatly affected the mucosa and muscularis propria, but not the submucosa and serosa. This study suggests that IRE could potentially be used as a minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer that does not exhibit lymph node metastasis or dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Min Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk Soon Choi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eun Sun Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Bora Keum
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Seok Seo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Tae Jeen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Sik Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoon Jai Chun
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Ho Um
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Duck Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Bae Kim
- Department of Biosystems & Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
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26
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Kurata K, Yoshimatsu S, Takamatsu H. Low-Voltage Irreversible Electroporation Using a Comb-Shaped Contact Electrode. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2019; 67:420-427. [PMID: 31059422 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2019.2914689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a less invasive therapy to ablate tumor cells by delivering short intensive electric pulses more than a few kV via needle-like electrodes. For reducing the required voltage for the IRE, a durable comb-shaped miniature electrode was designed to use in contact with the lesion surface for a new method named contact IRE. METHODS A miniature electrode was newly fabricated by a fine inkjet patterning and the subsequent etching of a copper-clad polyimide film. A train of 10-μs or 100-μs long electric pulses were applied 90 times at the interval of 1 s to a tissue phantom, and its cross section was observed to measure the necrotized area. RESULTS Cell experiments showed that the maximum ablation depth increased as a function of the applied voltage and reached 400 μm at 20 V. Furthermore, insulation of the lateral space between electrode teeth with a resin and administration of adjuvants to reduce the IRE threshold of the cell membrane did increase the ablation depth by 26% and the ablation area by 40%. CONCLUSION The miniature electrode developed in this study successfully necrotized cells in a tissue phantom 400 μm deep from the surface with the electric pulses of only 20 V. SIGNIFICANCE The contact IRE for the surface of skin and gastrointestinal tract will ablate cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors by applying only several tens of volts.
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27
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Belhamadia Y, Grenier J. Modeling and simulation of hypothermia effects on cardiac electrical dynamics. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216058. [PMID: 31050666 PMCID: PMC6499428 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous experimental evidence has shown the effect of temperature on the action potential duration (APD). It has also been demonstrated that regional cooling of the heart can prolong the APD and promote the termination of ventricular tachycardia. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effect of hypothermia in suppressing cardiac arrhythmias using numerical modeling. For this purpose, we developed a mathematical model that couples Pennes’ bioheat equation and the bidomain model to simulate the effect of heat on the cardiac action potential. The simplification of the proposed heat–bidomain model to the heat–monodomain model is provided. A suitable numerical scheme for this coupling, based on a time adaptive mesh finite element method, is also presented. First, we performed two-dimensional numerical simulations to study the effect of heat on a regular electrophysiological wave, with the comparison of the calculated and experimental values of Q10. Then, we demonstrated the effect of global hypothermia in suppressing single and multiple spiral waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Belhamadia
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- * E-mail:
| | - Justin Grenier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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28
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Ivey JW, Wasson EM, Alinezhadbalalami N, Kanitkar A, Debinski W, Sheng Z, Davalos RV, Verbridge SS. Characterization of Ablation Thresholds for 3D-Cultured Patient-Derived Glioma Stem Cells in Response to High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation. RESEARCH 2019; 2019:8081315. [PMID: 31549086 PMCID: PMC6750069 DOI: 10.34133/2019/8081315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) is a technique that uses pulsed electric fields that have been shown to ablate malignant cells. In order to evaluate the clinical potential of H-FIRE to treat glioblastoma (GBM), a primary brain tumor, we have studied the effects of high-frequency waveforms on therapy-resistant glioma stem-like cell (GSC) populations. We demonstrate that patient-derived GSCs are more susceptible to H-FIRE damage than primary normal astrocytes. This selectivity presents an opportunity for a degree of malignant cell targeting as bulk tumor cells and tumor stem cells are seen to exhibit similar lethal electric field thresholds, significantly lower than that of healthy astrocytes. However, neural stem cell (NSC) populations also exhibit a similar sensitivity to these pulses. This observation may suggest that different considerations be taken when applying these therapies in younger versus older patients, where the importance of preserving NSC populations may impose different restrictions on use. We also demonstrate variability in threshold among the three patient-derived GSC lines studied, suggesting the need for personalized cell-specific characterization in the development of potential clinical procedures. Future work may provide further useful insights regarding this patient-dependent variability observed that could inform targeted and personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Ivey
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - E M Wasson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - N Alinezhadbalalami
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - A Kanitkar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - W Debinski
- Brain Tumor Center of Excellence, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Z Sheng
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA 24061, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA.,Faculty of Health Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - R V Davalos
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.,Brain Tumor Center of Excellence, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.,Faculty of Health Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - S S Verbridge
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.,Brain Tumor Center of Excellence, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.,Faculty of Health Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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29
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Pasquet L, Chabot S, Bellard E, Markelc B, Rols MP, Reynes JP, Tiraby G, Couillaud F, Teissie J, Golzio M. Safe and efficient novel approach for non-invasive gene electrotransfer to skin. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16833. [PMID: 30443028 PMCID: PMC6237991 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34968-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene transfer into cells or tissue by application of electric pulses (i.e. gene electrotransfer (GET)) is a non-viral gene delivery method that is becoming increasingly attractive for clinical applications. In order to make GET progress to wide clinical usage its efficacy needs to be improved and the safety of the method has to be confirmed. Therefore, the aim of our study was to increase GET efficacy in skin, by optimizing electric pulse parameters and the design of electrodes. We evaluated the safety of our novel approach by assaying the thermal stress effect of GET conditions and the biodistribution of a cytokine expressing plasmid. Transfection efficacy of different pulse parameters was determined using two reporter genes encoding for the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the tdTomato fluorescent protein, respectively. GET was performed using non-invasive contact electrodes immediately after intradermal injection of plasmid DNA into mouse skin. Fluorescence imaging of transfected skin showed that a sophistication in the pulse parameters could be selected to get greater transfection efficacy in comparison to the standard ones. Delivery of electric pulses only mildly induced expression of the heat shock protein Hsp70 in a luminescent reporting transgenic mouse model, demonstrating that there were no drastic stress effects. The plasmid was not detected in other organs and was found only at the site of treatment for a limited period of time. In conclusion, we set up a novel approach for GET combining new electric field parameters with high voltage short pulses and medium voltage long pulses using contact electrodes, to obtain a high expression of both fluorescent reporter and therapeutic genes while showing full safety in living animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Pasquet
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France
| | - Sophie Chabot
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France
| | - Elisabeth Bellard
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Rols
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France
| | - Jean-Paul Reynes
- Invivogen Cayla SAS, 5 rue Jean Rodier, Zone industrielle de Montaudran, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Gérard Tiraby
- Invivogen Cayla SAS, 5 rue Jean Rodier, Zone industrielle de Montaudran, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Franck Couillaud
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Moléculaire et Thérapies innovantes en Oncologie (IMOTION) EA 7435, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Justin Teissie
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France.
| | - Muriel Golzio
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, Toulouse, F-31077, France.
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Adipose tissue: a new target for electroporation-enhanced DNA vaccines. Gene Ther 2017; 24:757-767. [PMID: 29106403 PMCID: PMC5746593 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2017.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
DNA vaccines delivered using electroporation (EP) have had clinical success, but these EP methods generally utilize invasive needle electrodes. Here, we demonstrate the delivery and immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine into subcutaneous adipose tissue cells using noninvasive EP. Using finite element analysis, we predicted that plate electrodes, when oriented properly, could effectively concentrate the electric field within adipose tissue. In practice, these electrodes generated widespread gene expression persisting for at least 60 days in vivo within interscapular subcutaneous fat pads of guinea pigs. We then applied this adipose-EP protocol to deliver a DNA vaccine coding for an influenza antigen into guinea pigs. The resulting host immune responses elicited were of a similar magnitude to those achieved by skin delivery with EP. The onset of the humoral immune response was more rapid when the DNA dose was spread over multiple injection sites, and increasing the voltage of the EP device increased the magnitude of the immune response. This study supports further development of EP protocols delivering gene-based therapies to subcutaneous fat.
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31
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Shao Q, Liu F, Chung C, Elahi-Gedwillo K, Provenzano PP, Forsyth B, Bischof JC. Physical and Chemical Enhancement of and Adaptive Resistance to Irreversible Electroporation of Pancreatic Cancer. Ann Biomed Eng 2017; 46:25-36. [PMID: 28983745 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-017-1932-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) can be used to treat cancer by electrical pulses, with advantages over traditional thermal approaches. Here we assess for the first time the IRE response of pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer, both in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate that both established and primary cancer cell lines can be destroyed by IRE, but with differential susceptibility and thresholds. We further demonstrate in vitro that viability for a given IRE dose can vary with the local chemistry as outcomes were shown to depend on suspending medium and reduction of glucose in the media significantly improved IRE destruction. Data here also demonstrate that repeated IRE treatments can lead to adaptive resistance in pancreatic carcinoma cells thereby reducing subsequent treatment efficacy. In addition, we demonstrate that physical enhancement of IRE, by re-arranging the pulse sequences without increasing the electrical energy delivered, achieve reduced viability in vitro and decreased tumor growth in an in vivo xenograft model. Together, these results show that IRE can destroy pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo, that there are both chemical and physical enhancements that can improve tumor destruction, and that one should guard against adaptive resistance when performing repeated treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Shao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.,Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Connie Chung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | | | - Paolo P Provenzano
- Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - John C Bischof
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. .,Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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32
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Wasson EM, Ivey JW, Verbridge SS, Davalos RV. The Feasibility of Enhancing Susceptibility of Glioblastoma Cells to IRE Using a Calcium Adjuvant. Ann Biomed Eng 2017; 45:2535-2547. [PMID: 28849278 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-017-1905-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a cellular ablation method used to treat a variety of cancers. IRE works by exposing tissues to pulsed electric fields which cause cell membrane disruption. Cells exposed to lower energies become temporarily permeable while greater energy exposure results in cell death. For IRE to be used safely in the brain, methods are needed to extend the area of ablation without increasing applied voltage, and thus, thermal damage. We present evidence that IRE used with adjuvant calcium (5 mM CaCl2) results in a nearly twofold increase in ablation area in vitro compared to IRE alone. Adjuvant 5 mM CaCl2 induces death in cells reversibly electroporated by IRE, thereby lowering the electric field thresholds required for cell death to nearly half that of IRE alone. The calcium-induced death response of reversibly electroporated cells is confirmed by electrochemotherapy pulses which also induced cell death with calcium but not without. These findings, combined with our numerical modeling, suggest the ability to ablate up to 3.2× larger volumes of tissue in vivo when combining IRE and calcium. The ability to ablate a larger volume with lowered energies would improve the efficacy and safety of IRE therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa M Wasson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Goodwin Hall, 635 Prices Fork Road - MC 0238, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA. .,Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University, School of Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, 325 Stanger St., Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Jill W Ivey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University, School of Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger St., Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Scott S Verbridge
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University, School of Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger St., Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Rafael V Davalos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Goodwin Hall, 635 Prices Fork Road - MC 0238, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University, School of Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger St., Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University, School of Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, 325 Stanger St., Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
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33
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Mi Y, Rui S, Li C, Yao C, Xu J, Bian C, Tang X. Multi-parametric study of temperature and thermal damage of tumor exposed to high-frequency nanosecond-pulsed electric fields based on finite element simulation. Med Biol Eng Comput 2017; 55:1109-1122. [PMID: 27853990 PMCID: PMC5486631 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-016-1589-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
High-frequency nanosecond-pulsed electric fields were recently introduced for tumor or abnormal tissue ablation to solve some problems of conventional electroporation. However, it is necessary to study the thermal effects of high-field-intensity nanosecond pulses inside tissues. The multi-parametric analysis performed here is based on a finite element model of liver tissue with a tumor that has been punctured by a pair of needle electrodes. The pulse voltage used in this study ranges from 1 to 4 kV, the pulse width ranges from 50 to 500 ns, and the repetition frequency is between 100 kHz and 1 MHz. The total pulse length is 100 μs, and the pulse burst repetition frequency is 1 Hz. Blood flow and metabolic heat generation have also been considered. Results indicate that the maximum instantaneous temperature at 100 µs can reach 49 °C, with a maximum instantaneous temperature at 1 s of 40 °C, and will not cause thermal damage during single pulse bursts. By parameter fitting, we can obtain maximum instantaneous temperature at 100 µs and 1 s for any parameter values. However, higher temperatures will be achieved and may cause thermal damage when multiple pulse bursts are applied. These results provide theoretical basis of pulse parameter selection for future experimental researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Mi
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shazhengjie Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Shaoqin Rui
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shazhengjie Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
- The State Grid Tianjin Power Maintenance Company, No.42, Nankou Street, Hebei District, Tianjin, China
| | - Chengxiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shazhengjie Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China.
| | - Chenguo Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shazhengjie Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shazhengjie Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Changhao Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shazhengjie Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuefeng Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174, Shazhengjie Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, China
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34
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Sánchez-Velázquez P, Clavien PA. The role of the irreversible electroporation in the hepato-pancreatico-biliary surgery. Cir Esp 2017; 95:307-312. [PMID: 28318494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ciresp.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation is a novel technique growing in popularity over the last years among the ablative modalities. Its unique action mechanism produces irreversible nanopores in the membrane of the cell leading to apoptosis; therefore irreversible electroporation can be used to ablate substantial volumes of tissue without the undesirable thermal effects as the "heat sink effect". Moreover the extracellular matrix is left unperturbed, thus sparing the structural architecture of surrounding structures such as bile ducts and blood vessels. In the last years its use has been widespread in both liver and pancreatic ablation. Irreversible electroporation has shown its safety with however some caution, feasibility and favorable outcomes in clinical settings such as unresectable locally advanced disease in which the surgical and therapeutic options are very limited.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pierre-Alain Clavien
- Departmento de cirugía y transplante, Hospital universitario de Zürich, Zúrich, Suiza.
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35
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Liu T, Dodds E, Leong SY, Eyres GT, Burritt DJ, Oey I. Effect of pulsed electric fields on the structure and frying quality of “kumara” sweet potato tubers. INNOV FOOD SCI EMERG 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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36
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Edd JF, Davalos RV. Mathematical Modeling of Irreversible Electroporation for Treatment Planning. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2016; 6:275-86. [PMID: 17668934 DOI: 10.1177/153303460700600403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) is a new drug-free method to ablate undesirable tissue of particular use in cancer therapy. IRE achieves cell death within the targeted tissue through a series of electric pulses that elevate the transmembrane potentials to an extent that permanently damages the lipid bilayers throughout the treated region. Although the IRE procedure is easy to perform, treatment planning is complicated by the fact that the electric field distribution within the tissue, the greatest single factor controlling the extents of IRE, depends non-trivially on the electrode configuration, pulse parameters and any tissue heterogeneities. To address this difficulty, we instruct on how to properly model IRE and discuss the benefit of modeling in designing treatment protocols. The necessary theoretical basis is introduced and discussed through the detailed analysis of two classic dual-electrode configurations from electrochemotherapy: coaxial disk electrodes and parallel needle electrodes. Dimensionless figures for these cases are also provided that allow cell constants, treated areas, and the details of heating to be determined for a wide range of conditions, for uniform tissues, simply by plugging in the appropriate physical property values and pulse parameters such as electrode spacing, size, and pulse amplitude. Complexities, such as heterogeneous tissues and changes in conductivity due to electroporation, are also discussed. The synthesis of these details can be used directly by surgeons in treatment planning. Irreversible electroporation is a promising new technique to treat cancer in a targeted manner without the use of drugs; however, it does require a detailed understanding of how electric currents flow within biological tissues. By providing the understanding and tools necessary to design an IRE protocol, this study seeks to facilitate the translation of this new and exciting cancer therapy into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon F Edd
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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37
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Kang S, Kim KH, Kim YC. A novel electroporation system for efficient molecular delivery into Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with a 3-dimensional microelectrode. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15835. [PMID: 26522846 PMCID: PMC4629139 DOI: 10.1038/srep15835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Electroporation is one of the most widely used transfection methods because of its high efficiency and convenience among the various transfection methods. Previous micro-electroporation systems have some drawbacks such as limitations in height and design, time-consuming and an expensive fabrication process due to technical constraints. This study fabricates a three dimensional microelectrode using the 3D printing technique. The interdigitated microstructure consisting of poly lactic acid was injected by a 3D printer and coated with silver and aluminum with a series of dip-coatings. With the same strength of electric field (V cm−1), a higher efficiency for molecular delivery and a higher cellular viability are achieved with the microelectrode than with a standard cuvette. In addition, this study investigates chemicophysical changes such as Joule heating and dissolved metal during electroporation and showed the micro-electroporation system had less chemicophysical changes. It was concluded that the proposed micro-electroporation system will contribute to genetic engineering as a promising delivery tool, and this combination of 3D printing and electroporation has many potential applications for diverse designs or systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongsu Kang
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwon-Ho Kim
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeu-Chun Kim
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
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38
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Faridnia F, Burritt DJ, Bremer PJ, Oey I. Innovative approach to determine the effect of pulsed electric fields on the microstructure of whole potato tubers: Use of cell viability, microscopic images and ionic leakage measurements. Food Res Int 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2015.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Wimmer T, Srimathveeravalli G, Silk M, Monette S, Gutta N, Maybody M, Erinjery JP, Coleman JA, Solomon SB, Sofocleous CT. Feasibility of a Modified Biopsy Needle for Irreversible Electroporation Ablation and Periprocedural Tissue Sampling. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2015; 15:749-758. [PMID: 26443800 DOI: 10.1177/1533034615608739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To test the feasibility of modified biopsy needles as probes for irreversible electroporation ablation and periprocedural biopsy. METHODS Core biopsy needles of 16-G/9-cm were customized to serve as experimental ablation probes. Computed tomography-guided percutaneous irreversible electroporation was performed in in vivo porcine kidneys with pairs of experimental (n = 10) or standard probes (n = 10) using a single parameter set (1667 V/cm, ninety 100 µs pulses). Two biopsy samples were taken immediately following ablation using the experimental probes (n = 20). Ablation outcomes were compared using computed tomography, simulation, and histology. Biopsy and necropsy histology were compared. RESULTS Simulation-suggested ablations with experimental probes were smaller than that with standard electrodes (455.23 vs 543.16 mm2), although both exhibited similar shape. Computed tomography (standard: 556 ± 61 mm2, experimental: 515 ± 67 mm2; P = .25) and histology (standard: 313 ± 77 mm2, experimental: 275 ± 75 mm2; P = .29) indicated ablations with experimental probes were not significantly different from the standard. Histopathology indicated similar morphological changes in both groups. Biopsies from the ablation zone yielded at least 1 core with sufficient tissue for analysis (11 of the 20). CONCLUSIONS A combined probe for irreversible electroporation ablation and periprocedural tissue sampling from the ablation zone is feasible. Ablation outcomes are comparable to those of standard electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wimmer
- Interventional Radiology Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA .,Division of General Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Mikhail Silk
- Interventional Radiology Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sebastien Monette
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Narendra Gutta
- Interventional Radiology Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Majid Maybody
- Interventional Radiology Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph P Erinjery
- Interventional Radiology Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan A Coleman
- Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen B Solomon
- Interventional Radiology Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Constantinos T Sofocleous
- Interventional Radiology Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Mahmood F, Hansen RH, Agerholm-Larsen B, Gissel H, Ibsen P, Gehl J. Detection of electroporation-induced membrane permeabilization states in the brain using diffusion-weighted MRI. Acta Oncol 2015; 54:289-97. [PMID: 25591820 PMCID: PMC4438348 DOI: 10.3109/0284186x.2014.991045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tissue permeabilization by electroporation (EP) is a promising technique to treat certain cancers. Non-invasive methods for verification of induced permeabilization are important, especially in deep-seated cancers. In this study we evaluated diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) as a quantitative method for detecting EP-induced membrane permeabilization of brain tissue using a rat brain model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-four anesthetized Sprague-Dawley male rats were electroporated in the right hemisphere, using different voltage levels to induce no permeabilization (NP), transient membrane permeabilization (TMP), and permanent membrane permeabilization (PMP), respectively. DW-MRI was acquired 5 minutes, 2 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after EP. Histology was performed for validation of the permeabilization states. Tissue content of water, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and extracellular volume were determined. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the DW-MRI parameters, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and kurtosis, at different voltage levels. The two-sample Mann- Whitney test with Holm's Bonferroni correction was used to identify pairs of significantly different groups. The study was approved by the Danish Animal Experiments Inspectorate. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Results showed significant difference in the ADC between TMP and PMP at 2 hours (p<0.001) and 24 hours (p<0.05) after EP. Kurtosis was significantly increased both at TMP (p<0.05) and PMP (p<0.001) 5 minutes after EP, compared to NP. Kurtosis was also significantly higher at 24 hours (p<0.05) and 48 hours (p<0.05) at PMP compared to NP. Physiological parameters indicated correlation with the permeabilization states, supporting the DW-MRI findings. We conclude that DW-MRI is capable of detecting EP-induced permeabilization of brain tissue and to some extent of differentiating NP, TMP and PMP using appropriate scan timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Mahmood
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer (CEDGE), Department of Oncology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Radiotherapy Research Unit (RRU), Department of Oncology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Rasmus H. Hansen
- Department of Radiology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Birgit Agerholm-Larsen
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer (CEDGE), Department of Oncology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Hanne Gissel
- Institute of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Per Ibsen
- Department of Pathology, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Julie Gehl
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer (CEDGE), Department of Oncology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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Phillips M, Rubinsky L, Meir A, Raju N, Rubinsky B. Combining Electrolysis and Electroporation for Tissue Ablation. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2014; 14:395-410. [PMID: 25416745 DOI: 10.1177/1533034614560102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrolytic ablation is a method that operates by delivering low magnitude direct current to the target region over long periods of time, generating electrolytic products that destroy cells. This study was designed to explore the hypothesis stating that electrolytic ablation can be made more effective when the electrolysis-producing electric charges are delivered using electric pulses with field strength typical in reversible electroporation protocols. (For brevity we will refer to tissue ablation protocols that combine electroporation and electrolysis as E(2).) The mechanistic explanation of this hypothesis is related to the idea that products of electrolysis generated by E(2) protocols can gain access to the interior of the cell through the electroporation permeabilized cell membrane and therefore cause more effective cell death than from the exterior of an intact cell. The goal of this study is to provide a first-order examination of this hypothesis by comparing the charge dosage required to cause a comparable level of damage to a rat liver, in vivo, when using either conventional electrolysis or E(2) approaches. Our results show that E(2) protocols produce tissue damage that is consistent with electrolytic ablation. Furthermore, E(2) protocols cause damage comparable to that produced by conventional electrolytic protocols while delivering orders of magnitude less charge to the target tissue over much shorter periods of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Phillips
- Department of Engineering, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, USA
| | - Liel Rubinsky
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Arie Meir
- Graduate Program in Biophysics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Narayan Raju
- Pathology Research Laboratory, Inc, Hayward, CA, USA
| | - Boris Rubinsky
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA Graduate Program in Biophysics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Connolly RJ, Hoff AM, Gilbert R, Jaroszeski MJ. Optimization of a plasma facilitated DNA delivery method. Bioelectrochemistry 2014; 103:15-21. [PMID: 25455213 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Plasma-based methods have recently emerged as a technique for augmenting plasmid DNA delivery to skin. This delivery modality relies on the deposition of ionized gas molecules on to targeted cells or tissue to establish an electric field. It is hypothesized that this electric field results in the dielectric breakdown of cell membranes, making cells permeable to exogenous molecules. This in vivo investigation sought to optimize the intradermal delivery of a luciferase expressing plasmid DNA by modulating the total exposure to the plasma source and the plasmid DNA dose. Varying the plasma exposure time from 2, 5, 10, and 20 min allowed the conditions resulting in the highest expression of luciferase to be found. These conditions correlated to the 10 minute exposure time for a plasma derived from either +8 kV or -8 kV, when the generator was operated 3 cm from the epidermal tissue surface with a helium flow rate of 15 L/min. Exposing the injected flank skin for 10 min resulted in a rise of 37.3-fold for a plasma created with +8 kV and 27.1-fold for a plasma created with -8 kV. When using this treatment time with 50, 100, or 200 μg of a luciferase expressing plasmid, it was found that 100 μg resulted in the highest peak luminescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Connolly
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
| | - Andrew M Hoff
- Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
| | - Richard Gilbert
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
| | - Mark J Jaroszeski
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, United States.
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Jiang C, Shao Q, Bischof J. Pulse Timing During Irreversible Electroporation Achieves Enhanced Destruction in a Hindlimb Model of Cancer. Ann Biomed Eng 2014; 43:887-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s10439-014-1133-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Garcia PA, Davalos RV, Miklavcic D. A numerical investigation of the electric and thermal cell kill distributions in electroporation-based therapies in tissue. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103083. [PMID: 25115970 PMCID: PMC4130512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroporation-based therapies are powerful biotechnological tools for enhancing the delivery of exogeneous agents or killing tissue with pulsed electric fields (PEFs). Electrochemotherapy (ECT) and gene therapy based on gene electrotransfer (EGT) both use reversible electroporation to deliver chemotherapeutics or plasmid DNA into cells, respectively. In both ECT and EGT, the goal is to permeabilize the cell membrane while maintaining high cell viability in order to facilitate drug or gene transport into the cell cytoplasm and induce a therapeutic response. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) results in cell kill due to exposure to PEFs without drugs and is under clinical evaluation for treating otherwise unresectable tumors. These PEF therapies rely mainly on the electric field distributions and do not require changes in tissue temperature for their effectiveness. However, in immediate vicinity of the electrodes the treatment may results in cell kill due to thermal damage because of the inhomogeneous electric field distribution and high current density during the electroporation-based therapies. Therefore, the main objective of this numerical study is to evaluate the influence of pulse number and electrical conductivity in the predicted cell kill zone due to irreversible electroporation and thermal damage. Specifically, we simulated a typical IRE protocol that employs ninety 100-µs PEFs. Our results confirm that it is possible to achieve predominant cell kill due to electroporation if the PEF parameters are chosen carefully. However, if either the pulse number and/or the tissue conductivity are too high, there is also potential to achieve cell kill due to thermal damage in the immediate vicinity of the electrodes. Therefore, it is critical for physicians to be mindful of placement of electrodes with respect to critical tissue structures and treatment parameters in order to maintain the non-thermal benefits of electroporation and prevent unnecessary damage to surrounding healthy tissue, critical vascular structures, and/or adjacent organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo A. Garcia
- Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Rafael V. Davalos
- Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Damijan Miklavcic
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Meir A, Rubinsky B. Alternating electric field capacitively coupled micro-electroporation. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra09054c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroporation of biological solutions is typically performed using galvanically coupled electrodes and the administration of high-voltage, direct current (DC) pulses.
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Tevaearai HT, Gazdhar A, Giraud MN, Flück M. In vivo electroporation-mediated gene delivery to the beating heart. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1121:223-9. [PMID: 24510826 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-9632-8_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy may represent a promising alternative strategy for cardiac muscle regeneration. In vivo electroporation, a physical method of gene transfer, has recently evolved as an efficient method for gene transfer. Here, we describe two protocols involving in vivo electroporation for gene transfer to the beating heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik T Tevaearai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital, Berne, Switzerland
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47
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The role of pH fronts in tissue electroporation based treatments. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80167. [PMID: 24278257 PMCID: PMC3836965 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatments based on electroporation (EP) induce the formation of pores in cell membranes due to the application of pulsed electric fields. We present experimental evidence of the existence of pH fronts emerging from both electrodes during treatments based on tissue EP, for conditions found in many studies, and that these fronts are immediate and substantial. pH fronts are indirectly measured through the evanescence time (ET), defined as the time required for the tissue buffer to neutralize them. The ET was measured through a pH indicator imaged at a series of time intervals using a four-cluster hard fuzzy-c-means algorithm to segment pixels corresponding to the pH indicator at every frame. The ET was calculated as the time during which the number of pixels was 10% of those in the initial frame. While in EP-based treatments such as reversible (ECT) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) the ET is very short (though enough to cause minor injuries) due to electric pulse characteristics and biological buffers present in the tissue, in gene electrotransfer (GET), ET is much longer, enough to denaturate plasmids and produce cell damage. When any of the electric pulse parameters is doubled or tripled the ET grows and, remarkably, when any of the pulse parameters in GET is halved, the ET drops significantly. Reducing pH fronts has relevant implications for GET treatment efficiency, due to a substantial reduction of plasmid damage and cell loss.
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Jiang C, Qin Z, Bischof J. Membrane-targeting approaches for enhanced cancer cell destruction with irreversible electroporation. Ann Biomed Eng 2013; 42:193-204. [PMID: 23949655 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-013-0882-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a promising technology to treat local malignant cancer using short, high-voltage electric pulses. Unfortunately, in vivo studies show that IRE suffers from an inability to destroy large volumes of cancer tissue without introduction of cytotoxic agents and/or increasing the applied electrical dose to dangerous levels. This research will address this limitation by leveraging membrane-targeting mechanisms that increase lethal membrane permeabilization. Methods that directly modify membrane properties or change the pulse delivery timing are proposed that do not rely on cytotoxic agents. This work shows that significant enhancement (67-75% more cell destruction in vitro and >100% treatment volume increase in vivo) can be achieved using membrane-targeting approaches for IRE cancer destruction. The methods introduced are surfactants (i.e., DMSO) and pulse timing which are low cost, non-toxic, and easy to be incorporated into existing clinical use. Moreover, when needed, these methods can also be combined with electrochemotherapy to further enhance IRE treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlan Jiang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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Qin Z, Jiang J, Long G, Lindgren B, Bischof JC. Irreversible electroporation: an in vivo study with dorsal skin fold chamber. Ann Biomed Eng 2012. [PMID: 23180025 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-012-0686-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) has been proposed to destroy large amounts of tumorous tissue and shows advantages over thermal therapies. Unfortunately, carefully constructed studies assessing impact in in vivo tumor systems and a direct comparison of IRE with thermal therapy are lacking. In this study, we investigate the effect of IRE in a human prostate cancer (LNCaP) grown in a thin, essentially two-dimensional, dorsal skin fold chamber system. Detailed experimental characterizations of the electrical and thermal responses of the tissue were performed yielding the first thermal response measurement in vivo of its kind that we are aware of. The interaction and coupling of electrical and thermal responses were further discussed. The threshold of the tumor injury was determined for human prostate tumor model, and the threshold value (600-1300 V cm(-1)) is dependent on the IRE parameters including pulse duration and pulse number. This dependence was explained in the context of tissue electrical conductivity change during IRE. Further, the thermal injury was found not to be a dominant factor in IRE with our system, which is in agreement with previous numerical studies. Finally, it appears that the local electrical heterogeneity of the tumor tissue reduces the effectiveness of IRE in some sections of the tumor (leading to live tumor patches).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenpeng Qin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Eigeldinger-Berthou S, Buntschu P, Flück M, Frobert A, Ferrié C, Carrel TP, Tevaearai HT, Kadner A. Electric pulses augment reporter gene expression in the beating heart. J Gene Med 2012; 14:191-203. [PMID: 22262642 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene therapy of the heart has been attempted in a number of clinical trials with the injection of naked DNA, although quantitative information on myocellular transfection rates is not available. The present study aimed to quantify the efficacy of electropulsing protocols that differ in pulse duration and number to stimulate transfection of cardiomyocytes and to determine the impact on myocardial integrity. METHODS Reporter plasmid for constitutive expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was injected into the left ventricle of beating hearts of adult, male Lewis rats. Four electrotransfer protocols consisting of repeated long pulses (8 × 20 ms), trains of short pulses (eight trains of either 60 or 80 × 100 µs) or their combination were compared with control procedures concerning the degree of GFP expression and the effect on infiltration, fibrosis and apoptosis. RESULTS All tested protocols produced GFP expression at the site of plasmid injection. Continuous pulses were most effective and increased the number of GFP-positive cardiomyocytes by more than 300-fold compared to plasmid injection alone (p < 0.05). Concomitantly, the incidence of macrophage infiltration, fibrosis and cell death was increased. Trains of short pulses reduced macrophage infiltration and fibrosis by four- and two-fold, respectively, although they were 20-fold less efficient in stimulating cardiomyocyte transfection. GFP expression co-related to delivered electric energy, infiltration and fibrosis, although not apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS The data imply that electropulsing of the myocardium promotes the overexpression of exogenous protein in mature cardiomyocytes in relation to an injury component. Fractionation of pulses is indicated as a option for sophisticated gene therapeutic approaches to the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Eigeldinger-Berthou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Inselspital, Berne University Hospital and University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
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