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Lv Y, Feng Z, Liu X, Zhang J, Yao C. The Enhancement of Tumor Ablation Effect by the Combination of High-Frequency and Low-Voltage Bipolar Electroporation Pulses. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2024; 71:1577-1586. [PMID: 38113160 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2023.3344153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The H-FIRE (high-frequency irreversible electroporation) protocol employs high-frequency bipolar pulses (HFBPs) with a width of ∼1 µs for tumor ablation with slight muscle contraction. However, H-FIRE pulses need a higher electric field to generate a sufficient ablation effect, which may cause undesirable thermal damage. OBJECTIVE Recently, combining short high-voltage IRE monopolar pulses with long low-voltage IRE monopolar pulses was shown to enlarge the ablation region. This finding indicates that combining HFBPs with low-voltage bipolar pulses (LVBPs), which are called composited bipolar pulses (CBPs), may enhance the ablation effect. METHODS This study designed a pulse generator by modifying a full-bridge inverter. The cell suspension and 3D tumor mimic experiments (U251 cells) were performed to examine the enhancement of the ablation effect. RESULTS The generator outputs HFBPs with 0-±2.5 kV and LVBPs with 0-±0.3 kV in one period. The pulse parameters are adjustable by programming on a human-computer interface. The cell suspension experiments showed that CBPs could enhance cytotoxicity, as compared to HFBPs with no cell-killing effect. Even at lower electric energy, the cell viability by CBPs was significantly lower than that of the HFBPs protocol. The ablation experiments on the 3D tumor mimic showed that the CBPs could create a larger connected ablation area. In contrast, the HFBPs protocol with a similar dose generated a nonconnected ablation area. CONCLUSION Results indicate that the CBPs protocol can enhance the ablation effect of HFBPs protocol. SIGNIFICANCE This proposed generator that uses the CBPs principle may be a useful tool for tumor ablation.
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Fesmire CC, Williamson RH, Petrella RA, Kaufman JD, Topasna N, Sano MB. Integrated Time Nanosecond Pulse Irreversible Electroporation (INSPIRE): Assessment of Dose, Temperature, and Voltage on Experimental and Clinical Treatment Outcomes. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2024; 71:1511-1520. [PMID: 38145519 PMCID: PMC11035095 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2023.3340718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study sought to investigate a novel strategy using temperature-controlled delivery of nanosecond pulsed electric fields as an alternative to the 50-100 microsecond pulses used for irreversible electroporation. METHODS INSPIRE treatments were carried out at two temperatures in 3D tumor models using doses between 0.001 s and 0.1 s. The resulting treatment zones were quantified using viability staining and lethal electric field intensities were determined numerically. Computational modeling was then used to determine parameters necessary for INSPIRE treatments to achieve equivalent treatment zones to clinical electroporation treatments and evaluate the potential for these treatments to induce deleterious thermal damage. RESULTS Lethal thresholds between 1109 and 709 V/cm were found for nominal 0.01 s treatments with pulses between 350 ns and 2000 ns at physiological temperatures. Further increases in dose resulted in significant decreases in lethal thresholds. Given these experimental results, treatment zones comparable to clinical electroporation are possible by increasing the dose and voltage used with nanosecond duration pulses. Temperature-controlled simulations indicate minimal thermal cell death while achieving equivalent treatment volumes to clinical electroporation. CONCLUSION Nanosecond electrical pulses can achieve comparable outcomes to traditional electroporation provided sufficient electrical doses or voltages are applied. The use of temperature-controlled delivery may minimize thermal damage during treatment. SIGNIFICANCE Intense muscle stimulation and the need for cardiac gating have limited irreversible electroporation. Nanosecond pulses can alleviate these challenges, but traditionally have produced significantly smaller treatment zones. This study suggests that larger ablation volumes may be possible with the INSPIRE approach and that future in vivo studies are warranted.
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Stephens K, Philips PP, Egger ME, Scoggins CR, McMasters KM, Martin RCG. Multi-institutional review of adverse events associated with irreversible electroporation in the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Surgery 2024; 175:704-711. [PMID: 37852831 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irreversible electroporation is a novel approach for treating locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, this ablative technique is not without risk and has the potential to precipitate adverse events. The aim of this study was to delineate risk factors that increase this risk, as well as to elucidate the risk profile associated with irreversible electroporation in the setting of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS A review of our prospective multi-institutional database from December 2015 to March 2022 of patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent irreversible electroporation was analyzed for adverse events. These were then compared with a control population of patients undergoing pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma. RESULTS Adverse events occurred in 51 patients of the 201 patients treated with irreversible electroporation compared with 78 of the 200 patients treated with pancreatectomy. The irreversible electroporation group had a significantly greater incidence of postoperative ascites in stage 3C patients. The most common complications in the irreversible electroporation group were infectious (n = 13), gastrointestinal bleed (n = 11), and ascites (n = 7). Multivariate analysis demonstrated increased risk of severe (grade ≥3) adverse events in the irreversible electroporation cohort who received high dose, neoadjuvant radiation (hazard ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-5.4), irreversible electroporation electrodes bracketing the superior mesenteric artery, superior mesenteric vein, and portal venous vein (hazard ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.4), and who had a bile duct stent in place for >6 months (hazard ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-5.6). There were similar rates of 90-day mortality in both groups, irreversible electroporation 2.4% vs pancreatectomy 2.8%. CONCLUSION This study revealed a 25% rate of adverse events associated with irreversible electroporation in locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which was significantly less (P = .004) than the 39% rate of adverse events associated with pancreatectomy in early-stage disease. Certain unique adverse events in the irreversible electroporation group have been established and should be understood in the care of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Stephens
- The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY
| | - Prejesh P Philips
- The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY
| | - Michael E Egger
- The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY
| | - Charles R Scoggins
- The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY
| | - Kelly M McMasters
- The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY
| | - Robert C G Martin
- The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY.
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Jacobs EJ, Aycock KN, Santos PP, Tuohy JL, Davalos RV. Rapid estimation of electroporation-dependent tissue properties in canine lung tumors using a deep neural network. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 244:115777. [PMID: 37924653 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115777] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
The efficiency of electroporation treatments depends on the application of a critical electric field over the targeted tissue volume. Both the electric field and temperature distribution strongly depend on the tissue-specific electrical properties, which both differ between patients in healthy and malignant tissues and change in an electric field-dependent manner from the electroporation process itself. Therefore, tissue property estimations are paramount for treatment planning with electroporation therapies. Ex vivo methods to find electrical tissue properties often misrepresent the targeted tissue, especially when translating results to tumors. A voltage ramp is an in situ method that applies a series of increasing electric potentials across treatment electrodes and measures the resulting current. Here, we develop a robust deep neural network, trained on finite element model simulations, to directly predict tissue properties from a measured voltage ramp. There was minimal test error (R2>0.94;p<0.0001) in three important electric tissue properties. Further, our model was validated to correctly predict the complete dynamic conductivity curve in a previously characterized ex vivo liver model (R2>0.93;p<0.0001) within 100 s from probe insertion, showing great utility for a clinical application. Lastly, we characterize the first reported electrical tissue properties of lung tumors from five canine patients (R2>0.99;p<0.0001). We believe this platform can be incorporated prior to treatment to quickly ascertain patient-specific tissue properties required for electroporation treatment planning models or real-time treatment prediction algorithms. Further, this method can be used over traditional ex vivo methods for in situ tissue characterization with clinically relevant geometries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Jacobs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Kenneth N Aycock
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Pedro P Santos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Joanne L Tuohy
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Rafael V Davalos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Timmer FEF, Geboers B, Scheffer HJ, Bakker J, Ruarus AH, Dijkstra M, van der Lei S, Boon R, Nieuwenhuizen S, van den Bemd BAT, Schouten EAC, van den Tol PM, Puijk RS, de Vries JJJ, de Gruijl TD, Meijerink MR. Tissue Resistance Decrease during Irreversible Electroporation of Pancreatic Cancer as a Biomarker for the Adaptive Immune Response and Survival. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2023; 34:1777-1784.e4. [PMID: 37391072 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2023.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To correlate irreversible electroporation (IRE) procedural resistance changes with survival outcomes and the IRE-induced systemic immune response in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Data on IRE procedural tissue resistance (R) features and survival outcomes were collected from patients with LAPC treated within the context of 2 prospective clinical trials in a single tertiary center. Preprocedural and postprocedural peripheral blood samples were prospectively collected for immune monitoring. The change (ie, decrease) in R during the first 10 test pulses (ΔR10p) and during the total procedure (ΔRtotal) were calculated. Patients were divided in 2 groups on the basis of the median change in R (large ΔR vs small ΔR) and compared for differences in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival and immune cell subsets. RESULTS A total of 54 patients were included; of these, 20 underwent immune monitoring. Linear regression modeling showed that the first 10 test pulses reflected the change in tissue resistance during the total procedure appropriately (P < .001; R2 = 0.91). A large change in tissue resistance significantly correlated with a better OS (P = .026) and longer time to disease progression (P = .045). Furthermore, a large change in tissue resistance was associated with CD8+ T cell activation through significant upregulation of Ki-67+ (P = .02) and PD-1+ (P = .047). Additionally, this subgroup demonstrated significantly increased expression of CD80 on conventional dendritic cells (cDC1; P = .027) and PD-L1 on immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (P = .039). CONCLUSIONS IRE procedural resistance changes may serve as a biomarker for survival and IRE-induced systemic CD8+ T cell and cDC1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentine E F Timmer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bart Geboers
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Hester J Scheffer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joyce Bakker
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Alette H Ruarus
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Madelon Dijkstra
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susan van der Lei
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rianne Boon
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sanne Nieuwenhuizen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bente A T van den Bemd
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Evelien A C Schouten
- Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Robbert S Puijk
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Onze Lieve Vrouwen Gasthuis, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan J J de Vries
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tanja D de Gruijl
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn R Meijerink
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Filson A, Martin RCG. Infection reporting in patients undergoing irreversible electroporation of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. J Surg Oncol 2023; 128:531-539. [PMID: 37165984 DOI: 10.1002/jso.27310] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intraoperative bile cultures (IOBCs) taken during pancreatic surgery are commonly performed and there has been limited evidence that a positive IOBC could aid in perioperative adverse event (AE) management. Therefore, this study aims to describe infection management in patients undergoing irreversible electroporation (IRE). METHODS An Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved prospective database was utilized from 8/2016 to 6/2022, with 127 pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients included. RESULTS A total of 28 patients that underwent IRE also had a simultaneous positive IOBC and the remaining 99 patients that underwent IRE had negative IOBC. A total of 11(39%) of the patients with a positive IOBC had AE's, and 38 (38%) of the patients with negative IOBC had AE's. Both groups had similar rates of AEs leading to new hospitalization and prolonged hospitalizations. Overall, there was no correlation between a positive IOBC and a patient developing an AE. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study provide insights that improve the infectious management of patients undergoing IRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Filson
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Robert C G Martin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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Campana LG, Daud A, Lancellotti F, Arroyo JP, Davalos RV, Di Prata C, Gehl J. Pulsed Electric Fields in Oncology: A Snapshot of Current Clinical Practices and Research Directions from the 4th World Congress of Electroporation. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3340. [PMID: 37444450 PMCID: PMC10340685 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The 4th World Congress of Electroporation (Copenhagen, 9-13 October 2022) provided a unique opportunity to convene leading experts in pulsed electric fields (PEF). PEF-based therapies harness electric fields to produce therapeutically useful effects on cancers and represent a valuable option for a variety of patients. As such, irreversible electroporation (IRE), gene electrotransfer (GET), electrochemotherapy (ECT), calcium electroporation (Ca-EP), and tumour-treating fields (TTF) are on the rise. Still, their full therapeutic potential remains underappreciated, and the field faces fragmentation, as shown by parallel maturation and differences in the stages of development and regulatory approval worldwide. This narrative review provides a glimpse of PEF-based techniques, including key mechanisms, clinical indications, and advances in therapy; finally, it offers insights into current research directions. By highlighting a common ground, the authors aim to break silos, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and pave the way to novel possibilities for intervention. Intriguingly, beyond their peculiar mechanism of action, PEF-based therapies share technical interconnections and multifaceted biological effects (e.g., vascular, immunological) worth exploiting in combinatorial strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca G. Campana
- Department of Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Rd., Manchester M13 9WL, UK;
| | - Adil Daud
- Department of Medicine, University of California, 550 16 Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
| | - Francesco Lancellotti
- Department of Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Rd., Manchester M13 9WL, UK;
| | - Julio P. Arroyo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (J.P.A.); (R.V.D.)
| | - Rafael V. Davalos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (J.P.A.); (R.V.D.)
- Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Claudia Di Prata
- Department of Surgery, San Martino Hospital, 32100 Belluno, Italy;
| | - Julie Gehl
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Martin RCG, Schoen EC, Philips P, Egger ME, McMasters KM, Scoggins CR. Impact of margin accentuation with intraoperative irreversible electroporation on local recurrence in resected pancreatic cancer. Surgery 2023; 173:581-589. [PMID: 36216618 PMCID: PMC9918678 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rates of local recurrence and margin positivity in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer after pancreatectomy with or without irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation. METHODS Prospective data for preoperative stages IIB (borderline resectable) and III were evaluated, with 75 patients undergoing pancreatectomy with irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation compared to 71 patients who underwent pancreatectomy alone from March 2010 to November 2020. RESULTS Both irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation and pancreatectomy-alone groups were similar for body mass index, Charleston comorbidity index, and sex. The irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation group had significantly greater preoperative stage III (irreversible electroporation 83% vs pancreatectomy alone 51%; P = .0001), with similar tumor location (head 64% vs 72%) and tumor size (median 2.9 vs 2.8). Neoadjuvant/induction chemotherapy and prior radiation therapy was similar in both groups (irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation 89% vs 72%). Surgical therapy included a greater percentage of pancreaticoduodenectomy in the pancreatectomy-alone group. Despite greater stage and greater percentage of margin positivity (irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation 27% vs 20%; P = not significant), rates of local recurrence were similar. The mean disease-free interval for local recurrence from time of diagnosis was similar (irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation 15.8 vs 16.5 pancreatectomy alone; P = not significant) and time of treatment (irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation 9.4 vs 10.5 months; P = not significant). Overall survival was improved with the irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation group, with a mean of 34.2 months versus 27.9 months in the pancreatectomy-alone group. CONCLUSION Irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation is safe and effective in stages IIB and III pancreatic adenocarcinomas that are technically resectable. Despite higher margin positivity rates, the time to local recurrence and the effects of recurrence were the same in the pancreatectomy-alone group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C G Martin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY.
| | - Eric C Schoen
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY
| | - Prejesh Philips
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY
| | - Michael E Egger
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY
| | - Kelly M McMasters
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY
| | - Charles R Scoggins
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY
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Kim HB, Baik KY, Sung CK. Histological Response to 5 kHz Irreversible Electroporation in a Porcine Liver Model. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2023; 22:15330338231171767. [PMID: 37125478 PMCID: PMC10134162 DOI: 10.1177/15330338231171767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike necrosis by thermal ablation, irreversible electroporation (IRE) is known to induce apoptosis by disrupting plasma membrane integrity with electric pulses while preserving the structure of blood vessels and bile ducts in liver tissue without a heat sink effect. This study aimed to investigate thermal damage and histopathological effects in the porcine liver by high-frequency electric pulses (5 kHz) which is much higher than the widely used 1 Hz. The electric field and thermal distributions of 5 kHz electric pulses were compared with those of 1 Hz in numerical simulations. 5 kHz-IRE was applied on pigs under ultrasound imaging to guide the electrode placement. The animals underwent computed tomography (CT) examination immediately and 1 day after IRE. After CT, IRE-treated tissues were taken and analyzed histologically. CT revealed that hepatic veins were intact for 1-day post-IRE. Histopathologically, the structure of the portal vein was intact, but endothelial cells were partially removed. In addition, the hepatic artery structure from which endothelial cells were removed were not damaged, while the bile duct structure and cholangiocytes were intact. The thermal injury was observed only in the vicinity of the electrodes as simulated in silico. 5 kHz-IRE generated high heat due to its short pulse interval, but the thermal damage was limited to the tissue around the electrodes. The histopathological damage caused by 5 kHz-IRE was close to that caused by 1 Hz-IRE. If a short-time treatment is required for reasons such as anesthesia, high-frequency IRE treatment is worth considering. Our observations will contribute to a better understanding of the IRE phenomena and search for advanced therapeutic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Bae Kim
- Medical Engineering Research Center, The Standard Co. Ltd, Gunpo-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Ku Youn Baik
- Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Kyu Sung
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Woeste MR, Wilson KD, Kruse EJ, Weiss MJ, Christein JD, White RR, Martin RCG. Optimizing Patient Selection for Irreversible Electroporation of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: Analyses of Survival. Front Oncol 2022; 11:817220. [PMID: 35096621 PMCID: PMC8793779 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.817220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Irreversible electroporation (IRE) has emerged as a viable consolidative therapy after induction chemotherapy, in which this combination has improved overall survival of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Optimal timing and patient selection for irreversible electroporation remains a clinically unmet need. The aim of this study was to investigate preoperative factors that may assist in predicting progression-free and overall survival following IRE. Methods A multi-institutional, prospectively maintained database was reviewed for patients with LAPC treated with induction chemotherapy followed by open-technique irreversible electroporation from 7/2015-5/2019. RECIST 1.1 criteria were used to assess tumor response and radiological progression. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were recorded. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan Meier and Cox multivariable regression analyses. Results 187 LAPC patients (median age 62 years range, 21 – 91, 65% men, 35% women) were treated with IRE. Median PFS was 21.7 months and median OS from diagnosis was 25.5 months. On multivariable analysis, age ≤ 61 (HR 0.41, 95%CI 0.21-0.78, p<0.008) and no prior radiation (HR 0.49, 95%CI 0.26-0.94, p=0.03) were positive predictors of OS after IRE. Age ≤ 61(HR 0.53, 95%CI, 0.28-.99, p=0.046) and FOLFIRINOX followed by gemcitabine/abraxane induction chemotherapy (HR 0.37,95%CI 0.15-0.89, p=0.027) predicted prolonged PFS after IRE. Abnormal CA19-9 values at the time of surgery negatively impacted both OS (HR 2.46, 95%CI 1.28-4.72, p<0.007) and PFS (HR 2.192, 95%CI 1.143-4.201, p=0.018) following IRE. Conclusions Age, CA 19-9 response, avoidance of pre-IRE radiation, and FOLFIRINOX plus gemcitabine/abraxane induction chemotherapy are prominent factors to consider when referring or selecting LAPC patients to undergo IRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Woeste
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Khaleel D Wilson
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Edward J Kruse
- Department of Surgery, Section of Surgical Oncology, Augusta University Medical Center, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Matthew J Weiss
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - John D Christein
- Department of Surgery, Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Rebekah R White
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Unit, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Robert C G Martin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
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Lv Y, Feng Z, Chen S, Cheng X, Zhang J, Yao C. A fundamental theoretical study on the different effect of electroporation on tumor blood vessels and normal blood vessels. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 144:108010. [PMID: 34902663 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.108010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Electroporation achieved by the application of pulsed electric field is successfully used for clinical tumor ablation. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) and irreversible electroporation (IRE), which are two protocols based on electroporation, have been shown to ablate only tumor cells while preserving the function of normal blood vessels. However, the mechanism of this unique advantage is still not fully understood. This study first built a multilayer dielectric model of both normal and tumor blood vessels to study the electroporation effect. Since endothelial cells are the main component of normal and tumor blood vessels, this study mainly analyzed the electroporation effect on endothelial cells. The rich vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), could play a protective function, allowing endothelial cells to suffer less electroporation effect in normal blood vessels. Interestingly, the endothelial cells in tumor blood vessel sustained a stronger electroporation effect than those in normal blood vessels due to the lack of VSMCs. This study may provide a conceivable explanation for why the structure of endothelial cells in normal blood vessels is preserved during electroporation treatment. This study also demonstrates that ECT or IRE may also damage both tumor blood vessels and cells while preserving normal blood vessels, which benefits complete tumor ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanpeng Lv
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Zhikui Feng
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shuo Chen
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xian Cheng
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Chenguo Yao
- School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044 China
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12
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Jarosova J, Macinga P, Hujova A, Kral J, Urban O, Spicak J, Hucl T. Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for malignant biliary obstruction. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2021; 13:1383-1396. [PMID: 34721772 PMCID: PMC8529920 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i10.1383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer are the most common causes of malignant biliary obstruction. The majority of patients are diagnosed at a late stage when surgical resection is rarely possible. In these cases, palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy provide only limited benefit and are associated with poor survival. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure for locoregional control of tumours, whereby a high-frequency alternating current turned into thermal energy causes coagulative necrosis of the tissue surrounding the catheter. The subsequent release of debris and tumour antigens by necrotic cells can stimulate local and systemic immunity. The development of endoluminal RFA catheters has led to the emergence of endoscopically delivered RFA, a treatment mainly used for malignant biliary strictures to prolong survival and/or stent patency. Other indications include recanalisation of occluded biliary stents and treatment of intraductal ampullary adenoma or benign biliary strictures. This article presents a comprehensive review of endobiliary RFA, mainly focusing on its use in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. The available data suggest that biliary RFA may be a promising modality, having positive impacts on survival and stent patency and boasting a reasonable safety profile. However, further studies with better characterised and stratified patient populations are needed before the method becomes accepted within routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jarosova
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Praha 14021, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Macinga
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Praha 14021, Czech Republic
| | - Alzbeta Hujova
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Praha 14021, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kral
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Praha 14021, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Urban
- Department of Internal Medicine II – Gastroenterology and Geriatrics, University Hospital Olomouc, Faculty of Medicine and Dentristry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc 77900, Czech Republic
| | - Julius Spicak
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Praha 14021, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Hucl
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Praha 14021, Czech Republic
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13
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Oshin EA, Guo S, Jiang C. Determining tissue conductivity in tissue ablation by nanosecond pulsed electric fields. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 143:107949. [PMID: 34583212 PMCID: PMC8643318 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107949] [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: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) causes the permeabilization of the cell membrane and has been used to non-thermally treat cancerous tissues. As increased permeabilization in membranes were reported to be accompanied by impedance changes, the ablation effect of nsPEF on tissues can be monitored via the changes in tissue conductivity. In this study, effects of nsPEF on biological tissues were evaluated by determining the conductivities of potato and 4 T1-luc breast tumor tissues ex vivo from a murine model subjected to multiple 100-ns, 1-10 kV pulses. Using a four-needle electrode system with a calibrated electrode constant of 1.1 ± 0.1 cm, the conductivities of tissues was determined from both the network-analyzer measurement, before and after treatment, and voltage-current measurement in real-time. The conductivity of the potato tissue was measured for a frequency range of 0.1-3 MHz, and it increased with increasing pulse number and voltage amplitude. The conductivity of the tumor tissue was also observed to increase with pulse number and pulse voltage over a similar frequency range. In addition, the linear correlation between the ablation area in a treated potato tissue and the conductivity change in the tissue suggests that conductivity analysis of biological tissue under treatment could be a fast and sensitive approach to evaluate the effectiveness of a nsPEF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin A. Oshin
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Siqi Guo
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Chunqi Jiang
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
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14
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Oikonomou D, Karamouzis MV, Moris D, Dimitrokallis N, Papamichael D, Kountourakis P, Astras G, Davakis S, Papalampros A, Schizas D, Petrou AS, Felekouras E. Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) Combined With Chemotherapy Increases Survival in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer (LAPC). Am J Clin Oncol 2021; 44:325-330. [PMID: 33979098 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000000826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is found in about 40% of patients with pancreatic cancer. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a nonthermal ablative technique that provides an alternative in patients with LAPC and can be safely combined with chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 2015 until October of 2019, we performed laparotomic IRE in a total of 40 patients with stage III LAPC. The median age of these patients was 65.2 years (range: 46 to 81 y), and the median tumor size was 3.8 cm (range: 2 to 5.2 cm). 33 of 40 patients were treated preoperatively with FOLFIRINOX or nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and in case of disease control, IRE was performed, whereas in 7 patients, IRE was performed without previous chemotherapy. RESULTS All patients were treated successfully with IRE as the tumor evaluation showed no disease progression after the completion of induction chemotherapy. No IRE-related deaths occurred. Two major grade III complications were reported: pancreatic fistula grade A in 8 patients and 3 patients diagnosed with delayed gastric emptying. Up to October 31, 2019, the median overall survival (OS) of all patients was 24.2 months (range: 6 to 36 mo), and the median progression-free survival was 10.3 months (range: 3 to 24 mo). After the completion of IRE, 30 patients (75%) continued with adjuvant chemotherapy. Fifteen patients (37%) have >24 months OS and 3 patients (8%) have reached 36 months OS and are still alive. CONCLUSION The combination of chemotherapy with IRE, which is a safe and effective procedure, may result in a survival benefit for patients with LAPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Oikonomou
- First Department of Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital
| | - Michalis V Karamouzis
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Division of Molecular Oncology, Athens University School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Moris
- First Department of Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital
| | - Nikolaos Dimitrokallis
- First Department of Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital
| | | | | | - Georgios Astras
- Department of Medical Oncology, American Oncology Center, American Medical Center
| | - Spyridon Davakis
- First Department of Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital
| | - Alexandros Papalampros
- First Department of Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital
| | - Dimitrios Schizas
- First Department of Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital
| | - Athanasios S Petrou
- Department of Surgery, American Medical Center (AMC), Division of HPB and Surgical Oncology, American Institute of Minimal Invasive Surgery (AIMIS), Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Evangelos Felekouras
- First Department of Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital
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Ratnayake B, Al-Leswas D, Mohammadi-Zaniani G, Littler P, Sen G, Manas D, Pandanaboyana S. Margin Accentuation Irreversible Electroporation in Stage III Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133212. [PMID: 34199031 PMCID: PMC8268790 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This literature review shows preliminary evidence to suggest that electroporation, the use of electricity to cause the death of cells around the tumour, may be associated with an improved survival and complete resection rates following pancreatic surgery for higher stage pancreatic cancer. However, one in five patients have a complication from the procedure that alters their normal course in hospital. Moreover, the number of patients who underwent this technique is small and further data is needed to support the preliminary evidence. The results therefore should be interpreted with caution. Abstract The present systematic review aimed to summarise the available evidence on indications and oncological outcomes after MA IRE for stage III pancreatic cancer (PC). A literature search was performed in the Pubmed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS databases using the PRISMA framework to identify all MA IRE studies. Nine studies with 235 locally advanced (LA) (82%, 192/235) or Borderline resectable (BR) PC (18%, 43/235) patients undergoing MA IRE pancreatic resection were included. Patients were mostly male (56%) with a weighted-mean age of 61 years (95% CI: 58–64). Pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in 51% (120/235) and distal pancreatectomy in 49% (115/235). R0 resection rate was 73% (77/105). Clavien Dindo grade 3–5 postoperative complications occurred in 19% (36/187). Follow-up intervals ranged from 3 to 29 months. Local and systematic recurrences were noted in 8 and 43 patients, respectively. The weighted-mean progression free survival was 11 months (95% CI: 7–15). The weighted-mean overall survival was 22 months (95% CI 20–23 months) and 8 months (95% CI 1–32 months) for MA IRE and IRE alone, respectively. Early non-randomised data suggest MA IRE during pancreatic surgery for stage III pancreatic cancer may result in increased R0 resection rates and improved OS with acceptable postoperative morbidity. Further, larger studies are warranted to corroborate this evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bathiya Ratnayake
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand;
| | - Dhya Al-Leswas
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Transplant Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK; (D.A.-L.); (G.M.-Z.); (G.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Ghazaleh Mohammadi-Zaniani
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Transplant Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK; (D.A.-L.); (G.M.-Z.); (G.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Peter Littler
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK;
| | - Gourab Sen
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Transplant Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK; (D.A.-L.); (G.M.-Z.); (G.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Derek Manas
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Transplant Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK; (D.A.-L.); (G.M.-Z.); (G.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Sanjay Pandanaboyana
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Transplant Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK; (D.A.-L.); (G.M.-Z.); (G.S.); (D.M.)
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK
- Correspondence:
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16
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Margin ACcentuation for resectable Pancreatic cancer using Irreversible Electroporation - Results from the MACPIE-I study. Eur J Surg Oncol 2021; 47:2571-2578. [PMID: 34039473 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2021.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Margin accentuation (MA) using Irreversible electroporation (IRE) offers an unique opportunity to reduce the R1 resections in resectable pancreatic cancer (RPC). This study aims to assess the rate of margin positivity using IRE for MA during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for resectable pancreatic head tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS Following ethical approval, MA using IRE was carried out in 20 consecutive patients to posterior and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) margin, and the pancreatic neck, prior to the PD resection. The control group (non-IRE; n = 91) underwent PD without MA over the study period, March 2018 to March 2020. RESULTS There was no difference between the two groups in terms of patients' age, gender, pre-op biliary drainage, site of malignancy or pre-operative TNM stage. The overall margin positive rate for IRE group was lesser (35.0%) when compared to non-IRE group (51.6%; p = 0.177), with significantly less posterior pancreatic margin positivity (5.0% vs. 25.3%; p = 0.046). When only treated margins (SMA margin excluded) were compared, the IRE group had significantly lower margin positive rates (20.0% vs. 51.6%; p = 0.013). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of intra- or post-operative complications. With a median follow-up of 15.6 months, the median DFS and OS for IRE and non-IRE groups were 17 and 18 months (p = 0.306) and 19 and 22 months (p = 0.227) respectively. CONCLUSION Our pilot study confirms the safety of MA using IRE for RPC, with reduction in margin positivity. These results as a proof of concept are promising and need further validation with a randomised controlled trial.
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17
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Timmer FE, Geboers B, Nieuwenhuizen S, Schouten EA, Dijkstra M, de Vries JJ, van den Tol MP, de Gruijl TD, Scheffer HJ, Meijerink MR. Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: Percutaneous Management Using Ablation, Brachytherapy, Intra-arterial Chemotherapy, and Intra-tumoral Immunotherapy. Curr Oncol Rep 2021; 23:68. [PMID: 33864144 PMCID: PMC8052234 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01057-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive neoplasms, bearing a terrible prognosis. Stage III tumors, also known as locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), are unresectable, and current palliative chemotherapy regimens have only modestly improved survival in these patients. At this stage of disease, interventional techniques may be of value and further prolong life. The aim of this review was to explore current literature on locoregional percutaneous management for LAPC. RECENT FINDINGS Locoregional percutaneous interventional techniques such as ablation, brachytherapy, and intra-arterial chemotherapy possess cytoreductive abilities and have the potential to increase survival. In addition, recent research demonstrates the immunomodulatory capacities of these treatments. This immune response may be leveraged by combining the interventional techniques with intra-tumoral immunotherapy, possibly creating a durable anti-tumor effect. This multimodality treatment approach is currently being examined in several ongoing clinical trials. The use of certain interventional techniques appears to improve survival in LAPC patients and may work synergistically when combined with immunotherapy. However, definitive conclusions can only be made when large prospective (randomized controlled) trials confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentine E.F. Timmer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Geboers
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Nieuwenhuizen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Evelien A.C. Schouten
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Madelon Dijkstra
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan J.J. de Vries
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M. Petrousjka van den Tol
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja D. de Gruijl
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc)-Cancer Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hester J. Scheffer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn R. Meijerink
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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18
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White RR, Murphy JD, Martin RCG. The Landmark Series: Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer and Ablative Therapy Options. Ann Surg Oncol 2021; 28:4173-4180. [PMID: 33586072 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-021-09662-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is a challenging disease to treat. There is consensus that systemic chemotherapy should be the first line of therapy for most patients. However, there is no consensus on how to manage those patients who do not have sufficient response to become candidates for resection but also do not have distant progression after weeks or months of systemic therapy. Radiation therapy is the most commonly used and best-studied local ablative therapy. One recent randomized controlled trial (LAP-07) failed to demonstrate an overall survival benefit for conventional chemoradiation therapy after induction chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone. This study had several limitations, and ongoing studies are re-evaluating the role of chemoradiation after more effective chemotherapy regimens as well as more advanced radiation techniques. In parallel, there has been increasing interest in other thermal and non-thermal methods of ablation. In particular, irreversible electroporation has gained traction for treatment of LAPC, with at least one ongoing randomized controlled trial designed to address its role compared with systemic chemotherapy alone. Multiple preclinical and clinical studies are investigating combinations of local ablation and immunotherapy with the goal of generating immune responses that will meaningfully improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah R White
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - James D Murphy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert C G Martin
- Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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19
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Sano MB, DeWitt MR. Thermochromic Tissue Phantoms for Evaluating Temperature Distribution in Simulated Clinical Applications of Pulsed Electric Field Therapies. Bioelectricity 2020; 2:362-371. [PMID: 34476365 PMCID: PMC8370349 DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2020.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) induces cell death through nonthermal mechanisms, however, in extreme cases, the treatments can induce deleterious thermal transients. This study utilizes a thermochromic tissue phantom to enable visualization of regions exposed to temperatures above 60°C. Materials and Methods: Poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels supplemented with thermochromic ink were characterized and processed to match the electrical properties of liver tissue. Three thousand volt high-frequency IRE protocols were administered with delivery rates of 100 and 200 μs/s. The effect of supplemental internal applicator cooling was then characterized. Results: Baseline treatments resulted thermal areas of 0.73 cm2, which decreased to 0.05 cm2 with electrode cooling. Increased delivery rates (200 μs/s) resulted in thermal areas of 1.5 and 0.6 cm2 without and with cooling, respectively. Conclusions: Thermochromic tissue phantoms enable rapid characterization of thermal effects associated with pulsed electric field treatments. Active cooling of applicators can significantly reduce the quantity of tissue exposed to deleterious temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B. Sano
- UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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20
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Fesmire CC, Petrella RA, Kaufman JD, Topasna N, Sano MB. Irreversible electroporation is a thermally mediated ablation modality for pulses on the order of one microsecond. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 135:107544. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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21
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A numerical study on the effect of conductivity change in cell kill distribution in irreversible electroporation. POLISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/pjmpe-2020-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a tissue ablation technique and physical process used to kill the undesirable cells. In the IRE process by mathematical modelling we can calculate the cell kill probability and distribution inside the tissue. The purpose of the study is to determine the influence of electric conductivity change in the IRE process into the cell kill probability and distribution.
Methods: cell death probability and electric conductivity were calculated with COMSOL Multiphysics software package. 8 pulses with a frequency of 1 Hz, pulse width of 100 µs and electric field intensity from 1000 to 3000 V/Cm with steps of 500 V/Cm used as electric pulses.
Results: significantly, the electrical conductivity of tissue will increase during the time of pulse delivery. According to our results, electrical conductivity increased with an electric field intensity of pulses. By considering the effect of conductivity change on cell kill probability, the cell kill probability and distribution will change.
Conclusion: we believe that considering the impact of electric conductivity change on the cell kill probability will improve the accuracy of treatment outcome in the clinic for treatment with IRE.
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Yao C, Wang X, Zhang Y, Kong J, Gao J, Ke S, Ding X, Xin Z, Xu W, Wang S, Sun W. Treatment of Insulinomas by Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation: Case Reports and Literature Review. Open Med (Wars) 2020; 15:84-91. [PMID: 32104725 PMCID: PMC7029651 DOI: 10.1515/med-2020-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite its rarity, insulinoma is the most common type of pancreatic endocrine neoplasm, with an occurrence of 1 to 5 per million per year in the population. Surgical resection or enucleation is the first line of curative treatment choice for insulinoma. Eight patients with symptomatic insulinomas treated by radiofrequency ablation have been described since 2009. In the past two years, we treated two patients with symptomatic insulinomas (one in the pancreatic tail and the other in the pancreatic neck) successfully using laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation. Both patients achieved complete elimination without any significant complications. Our study suggests laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation could be developed as a safe and effective alternative treatment to surgery for the patients with insulinomas who refuse or are not eligible for surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyu Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, No. 5, Jingyuan Street, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Xiangtao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhanhua People's Hospital, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhanhua People's Hospital, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, No. 5, Jingyuan Street, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Jun Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, No. 5, Jingyuan Street, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Shan Ke
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, No. 5, Jingyuan Street, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Xuemei Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, No. 5, Jingyuan Street, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Zonghai Xin
- Department of General Surgery, Zhanhua People's Hospital, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wenlei Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, No. 5, Jingyuan Street, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Shaohong Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, No. 5, Jingyuan Street, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Wenbing Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, No. 5, Jingyuan Street, Beijing 100043, China
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23
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Beitel-White N, Martin RCG, Davalos RV. Post-treatment analysis of irreversible electroporation waveforms delivered to human pancreatic cancer patients. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2020; 2019:5518-5521. [PMID: 31947104 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2019.8857259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a focal ablation therapy that uses high voltage, short electrical pulses to destroy tumor tissue. The success of treatment directly depends on exposure of the entire tumor to a lethal electric field magnitude. However, this exposure is difficult to predict ahead of time and it is challenging for clinicians to determine optimal treatment parameters. One method clinicians rely upon for the cessation of pulse delivery is to monitor the resistance value of the tissue, as the cells within the tissue will undergo changes during electroporation. This work presents a computational model which incorporates human pancreatic tumor conductivity, and compares predicted and measured output currents from IRE treatments of human patients. The measured currents vary widely from patient to patient, suggesting there may areas of high local conductivity in the treatment area.
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Nanosecond pulses targeting intracellular ablation increase destruction of tumor cells with irregular morphology. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 132:107432. [PMID: 31918056 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.107432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The decrease in killing sensitivity of the cell membrane to microsecond pulse electric fields (μs-PEFs) is ascribed mainly to the aberrant morphology of cancer cells, with clear statistical correlations observed between cell size and shape defects and the worsening of the electrical response to the PEF. In this paper, nanosecond pulsed electric fields (ns-PEFs) inducing the nucleus effect and μs-PEFs targeting the cell membrane were combined to enhance destruction of irregular cells. The fluorescence dissipation levels of the nuclear membrane and cell membrane exposed to the μs, ns, and ns + μs pulse protocols were measured and compared, and a dynamic electroporation model of irregular cells was established by the finite element software COMSOL. The results suggest that the cell membrane disruption induced by μs-PEFs is worse for extremely irregular cells and depends strongly on cellular morphology. However, the nuclear membrane disruption induced by ns-PEFs does not scale with irregularity, suggesting the use of a combination of ns-PEFs with μs-PEFs to target the nuclear and cell membranes. We demonstrate that ns + μs pulses can significantly enhance the fluorescence dissipation of the cell and nuclear membranes. Overall, our findings indicate that ns + μs pulses may be useful in the effective killing of irregular cells.
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Conductivity change with needle electrode during high frequency irreversible electroporation: a finite element study. POLISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/pjmpe-2019-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a process in which the cell membrane is damaged and leads to cell death. IRE has been used as a minimally invasive ablation tool. This process is affected by some factors. The most important factor is the electric field distribution inside the tissue. The electric field distribution depends on the electric pulse parameters and tissue properties, such as the electrical conductivity of tissue. The present study focuses on evaluating the tissue conductivity change due to high-frequency and low-voltage (HFLV) as well as low-frequency and high-voltage (LFHV) pulses during irreversible electroporation. We were used finite element analysis software, COMSOL Multiphysics 5.0, to calculate the conductivity change of the liver tissue. The HFLV pulses in this study involved 4000 bipolar and monopolar pulses with a frequency of 5 kHz, pulse width of 100 µs, and electric field intensity from 100 to 300 V/cm. On the other hand, the LFHV pulses, which we were used, included 8 bipolar and monopolar pulses with a frequency of 1 Hz, the pulse width of 2 ms and electric field intensity of 2500 V/cm. The results demonstrate that the conductivity change for LFHV pulses due to the greater electric field intensity was higher than for HFLV pulses. The most significant conclusion is the HFLV pulses can change tissue conductivity only in the vicinity of the tip of electrodes. While LFHV pulses change the electrical conductivity significantly in the tissue of between electrodes.
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Lorenzo MF, Thomas SC, Kani Y, Hinckley J, Lee M, Adler J, Verbridge SS, Hsu FC, Robertson JL, Davalos RV, Rossmeisl JH. Temporal Characterization of Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption with High-Frequency Electroporation. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121850. [PMID: 31771214 PMCID: PMC6966593 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of intracranial disorders suffers from the inability to accumulate therapeutic drug concentrations due to protection from the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Electroporation-based therapies have demonstrated the capability of permeating the BBB, but knowledge of the longevity of BBB disruption (BBBD) is limited. In this study, we quantify the temporal, high-frequency electroporation (HFE)-mediated BBBD in an in vivo healthy rat brain model. 40 male Fisher rats underwent HFE treatment; two blunt tipped monopolar electrodes were advanced into the brain and 200 bursts of HFE were delivered at a voltage-to-distance ratio of 600 V/cm. BBBD was verified with contrast enhanced T1W MRI (gadopentetate dimeglumine) and pathologically (Evans blue dye) at time points of 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after HFE. Contrast enhanced T1W scans demonstrated BBBD for 1 to 72 h after HFE but intact BBB at 96 h. Histologically, tissue damage was restricted to electrode insertion tracks. BBBD was induced with minimal muscle contractions and minimal cell death attributed to HFE. Numerical modeling indicated that brief BBBD was induced with low magnitude electric fields, and BBBD duration increased with field strength. These data suggest the spatiotemporal characteristics of HFE-mediated BBBD may be modulated with the locally applied electric field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin F. Lorenzo
- Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (M.F.L.); (M.L.); (R.V.D.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (S.C.T.); (S.S.V.); (J.L.R.)
| | - Sean C. Thomas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (S.C.T.); (S.S.V.); (J.L.R.)
| | - Yukitaka Kani
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (Y.K.); (J.H.); (J.A.)
| | - Jonathan Hinckley
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (Y.K.); (J.H.); (J.A.)
| | - Matthew Lee
- Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (M.F.L.); (M.L.); (R.V.D.)
| | - Joy Adler
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (Y.K.); (J.H.); (J.A.)
| | - Scott S. Verbridge
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (S.C.T.); (S.S.V.); (J.L.R.)
| | - Fang-Chi Hsu
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA;
| | - John L. Robertson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (S.C.T.); (S.S.V.); (J.L.R.)
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (Y.K.); (J.H.); (J.A.)
| | - Rafael V. Davalos
- Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (M.F.L.); (M.L.); (R.V.D.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (S.C.T.); (S.S.V.); (J.L.R.)
| | - John H. Rossmeisl
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (Y.K.); (J.H.); (J.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-540-231-7288
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Lafranceschina S, Brunetti O, Delvecchio A, Conticchio M, Ammendola M, Currò G, Piardi T, de'Angelis N, Silvestris N, Memeo R. Systematic Review of Irreversible Electroporation Role in Management of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111718. [PMID: 31684186 PMCID: PMC6896066 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ablative techniques provide in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) symptomatic relief, survival benefit and potential downsizing. Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) represents potentially an ideal solution as no thermal tissue damage occurs. The purpose of this review is to present an overview on safety, feasibility, oncological results, survival and quality of life improvement obtained by IRE. Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, regarding the use of IRE on PC in humans for studies published in English up to March 2019. Results: 15 original studies embodying 691 patients with unresectable LAPC who underwent IRE were included. As emerged, IRE works better on tumour sizes between 3–4 cm. Oncological results are promising: median OS from diagnosis or treatment up to 27 months. Two groups investigated borderline resectable tumours treated with IRE before resection with margin attenuation, whereas IRE has proved to be effective in pain control. Conclusions: Electroporation is bringing new hopes in LAPC management. The first aim of IRE is to offer a palliative treatment. Further efforts are needed for patient selection, as well as the use of IRE for ‘margin accentuation’ during surgical resection. Even if promising, IRE needs to be validated in large, randomized, prospective series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Lafranceschina
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University "Aldo Moro" of Bary, 70124 Bary, Italy.
| | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II 2", 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Antonella Delvecchio
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University "Aldo Moro" of Bary, 70124 Bary, Italy.
| | - Maria Conticchio
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University "Aldo Moro" of Bary, 70124 Bary, Italy.
| | - Michele Ammendola
- Department of Health Science, General Surgery, Magna Graecia University, Medicine School of Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Currò
- Department of Health Science, General Surgery, Magna Graecia University, Medicine School of Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Tullio Piardi
- Department of Surgery, Hôpital Robert Debré, University of Champagne-Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France.
| | - Nicola de'Angelis
- Department of Digestive and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Henri Mondor University Hospital, AP-HP, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France.
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II 2", 70124 Bari, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Memeo
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University "Aldo Moro" of Bary, 70124 Bary, Italy.
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Narayanan JSS, Ray P, Hayashi T, Whisenant TC, Vicente D, Carson DA, Miller AM, Schoenberger SP, White RR. Irreversible Electroporation Combined with Checkpoint Blockade and TLR7 Stimulation Induces Antitumor Immunity in a Murine Pancreatic Cancer Model. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1714-1726. [PMID: 31409607 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a nonthermal ablation technique that is used clinically in selected patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, but most patients develop recurrent distant metastatic disease. We hypothesize that IRE can induce an in situ vaccination effect by releasing tumor neoantigens in an inflammatory context. Using an immunocompetent mouse model, we demonstrated that IRE alone produced complete regression of subcutaneous tumors in approximately 20% to 30% of mice. IRE was not effective in immunodeficient mice. Mice with complete response to IRE demonstrated prophylactic immunity and remained tumor free when rechallenged with secondary tumors on the contralateral flank. CD8+ T cells from IRE-responsive mice were reactive against peptides representing model-inherent alloantigens and conferred protection against tumor challenge when adoptively transferred into immunocompromised, tumor-naïve mice. Combining IRE with intratumoral Toll-like receptor-7 (TLR7) agonist (1V270) and systemic anti-programmed death-1 receptor (PD)-1 checkpoint blockade resulted in improved treatment responses. This combination also resulted in elimination of untreated concomitant distant tumors (abscopal effects), an effect not seen with IRE alone. These results suggest that the systemic antitumor immune response triggered by IRE can be enhanced by stimulating the innate immune system with a TLR7 agonist and the adaptive immune system with anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade simultaneously. Combinatorial approaches such as this may help overcome the immunosuppressive pancreatic cancer microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Partha Ray
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Tomoko Hayashi
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Thomas C Whisenant
- Department of Computational Biology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Diego Vicente
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Dennis A Carson
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Aaron M Miller
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.,La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Rebekah R White
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.
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Holland MM, Bhutiani N, Kruse EJ, Weiss MJ, Christein JD, White RR, Huang KW, Martin RCG. A prospective, multi-institution assessment of irreversible electroporation for treatment of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: initial outcomes from the AHPBA pancreatic registry. HPB (Oxford) 2019; 21:1024-1031. [PMID: 30737097 DOI: 10.1016/j.hpb.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal treatment and management of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) remains unclear and controversial. This study aimed to report the initial outcomes of the AHPBA Registry and evaluate the reproducibility of existing evidence that the addition of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), a nonthermal ablative treatment, confers survival benefits beyond standard therapeutic options for patients with LAPC. METHODS From December 2015 to October 2017, patients with LAPC were treated with open-technique IRE following the AHPBA Registry Protocols. Patient demographics, long-term outcomes, and adverse events were recorded. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves for overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and time to progression (TTP). RESULTS A total of 152 patients underwent successful IRE. Morbidity and mortality were 18% and 2% respectively, with 19 (13%) patients experiencing severe adverse events. Nine (6%) patients presented with local recurrence. Median TTP, PFS, and OS from diagnosis were 27.3 months, 22.8 months, and 30.7 months respectively. CONCLUSION The combination of IRE with established multiagent therapy is safe and demonstrates encouraging survival among patients with LAPC. IRE is associated with a low rate of serious adverse events and has been optimized for more widespread adoption through the standardized protocols available through the AHPBA registry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Holland
- University of Louisville, Hiram C. Polk Jr, MD Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Neal Bhutiani
- University of Louisville, Hiram C. Polk Jr, MD Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Edward J Kruse
- Augusta University Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Section of Surgical Oncology, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Matthew J Weiss
- Johns Hopkins University, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John D Christein
- University of Alabama, Department of Surgery, Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rebekah R White
- University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Gastrointestinal Cancer Unit, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kai-Wen Huang
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Department of Surgery, Zhongzheng, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Robert C G Martin
- University of Louisville, Hiram C. Polk Jr, MD Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Louisville, KY, USA.
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Is irreversible electroporation safe and effective in the treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers? Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2019; 18:117-124. [PMID: 30655073 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel ablative technique for hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. This review summarizes the data regarding the safety and efficacy of IRE in the treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. DATA SOURCES Studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase for articles published in English from database inception through July 31, 2017. For inclusion, each clinical study had to report morbidity and survival data on hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers treated with IRE and contain at least 10 patients. Studies that met these criteria were included for analysis. Two authors assessed each clinical study for data extraction. The controversial parts were resolved through discussion with seniors. RESULTS A total of 24 clinical studies were included. Fourteen focused on hepatic ablation with IRE comprising 437 patients with 666 lesions of different tumor types. Two patients (0.5%) died after the IRE procedure. Morbidity of hepatic ablation with IRE ranged from 7% to 35%. Most complications were mild. Complete response for hepatic tumors was reported as 57%-97%. Ten studies with 455 patients focused on pancreatic IRE. The overall mortality of IRE in pancreatic cancer was 2%. Overall severe morbidity of IRE in pancreatic cancer ranged from 0 to 20%. The median overall survival after IRE ranged from 7 to 23 months. Patients treated with IRE combined with surgical resection showed a longer overall survival. CONCLUSIONS IRE significantly improves the prognosis of advanced hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignances, and companied with less complications. Hence, IRE is a relatively safe and effective non-thermal ablation strategy and potentially recommended as an option for therapy of patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignances.
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Flak RV, Stender MT, Jensen TM, Andersen KL, Henriksen SD, Mortensen PB, Sall M, Thorlacius-Ussing O. Treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with irreversible electroporation - a Danish single center study of safety and feasibility. Scand J Gastroenterol 2019; 54:252-258. [PMID: 30907286 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2019.1575465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel non-thermal ablative technique applied in the treatment of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). This paper reports on the initial experience with IRE of unresectable LAPC in our institution. METHODS From October 2013 to March 2018, patients with unresectable LAPC referred for IRE at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, were considered for inclusion in the study. Ninety-day morbidity, 30-day mortality, pain score, length of hospital stay (LOS) and overall survival (OS) were recorded. RESULTS We included 33 patients receiving 40 IRE ablations in total. The median visual analogue scale (VAS)-score was four (range 0-10) two hours after IRE, and one (range 0-8) eight hours after IRE. The median LOS was one day (range 1-13 days). Post-procedural complications occurred in 21 of 40 ablations (53%), of which eight (20%) were major (Clavien-Dindo grade III or more). A proportion of the observed complications might be attributed to disease progression and not IRE per se. Although not statistically significant, we observed increased severity of complications in tumors above 3.5 cm. The 30-day mortality was 5% (2/40). The median OS was 10.7 months (range 0.6-53.8 months) from the initial IRE procedure, and 18.5 months (range 4.9-65.8 months) from time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS In our institution, IRE seems as a feasible consolidative treatment of unresectable LAPC with an acceptable safety profile. The oncological outcome of IRE in patients with unresectable LAPC is to be further evaluated in a planned phase 2 clinical trial (CHEMOFIRE-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Virenfeldt Flak
- a Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery , Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg , Denmark
| | - Mogens Tornby Stender
- a Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery , Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg , Denmark
| | | | - Kasper Lenni Andersen
- a Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery , Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg , Denmark
| | - Stine Dam Henriksen
- a Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery , Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg , Denmark
| | | | - Mogens Sall
- a Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery , Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg , Denmark
| | - Ole Thorlacius-Ussing
- a Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery , Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg , Denmark.,c Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg , Denmark.,d Department of Clinical Medicine , Aalborg University , Aalborg , Denmark
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Pandit H, Hong YK, Li Y, Rostas J, Pulliam Z, Li SP, Martin RCG. Evaluating the Regulatory Immunomodulation Effect of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2019; 26:800-806. [PMID: 30610562 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-018-07144-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irreversible electroporation (IRE) has been demonstrated as an effective local method for locally advanced (stage 3) pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Immune regulatory T cells (Tregs) induce immunosuppression of tumors by inhibiting patients' anti-tumor adaptive immune response. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulation effect of IRE to identify an ideal time point for potential adjuvant immunotherapy. METHODS This study prospectively evaluated an institutional review board-approved study of patients undergoing either in situ IRE or pancreatectomy. Patient blood samples were collected at different time points (before surgery [preOP] and on postoperative day [POD] 1, POD3, and POD5). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and evaluated for three different CD4 + Treg subsets (CD25 + CD4 +, CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 +, CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 -) by flow cytometry and analyzed for median fold change (MFC) between each two consecutive time points (MFC = log2(T2/T1)). RESULTS The study analyzed 15 patients with in situ IRE (n = 11) or pancreatectomy (PAN) (n = 4). In both groups, CD25 + CD4 + Tregs decreased on POD1 followed by a steady increase in pancreatectomy, whereas the trend in the IRE group reversed between D3 and D5 (MFC: IRE [- 0.01], PAN [+ 0.39]). For each period, CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + Tregs showed the most dramatic inverse effect, with D3 to D5 showing the most change (MFC: IRE [- 0.18], PAN [+ 0.39]). Also, CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 - Tregs showed an inverse effect between D3 and D5 (MFC: IRE [- 0.25], PAN [+ 0.49]). Altogether, the Treg trend was inversely affected by the in situ IRE procedure, with the greatest cumulative significant change for all three Treg subsets between D3 and D5 (MFC ± SEM: IRE [- 0.24 ± 0.05], PAN [+ 0.37 ± 0.02]; p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS The study data suggest that in situ IRE procedure-mediated Treg attenuation between POD3 and POD5 can provide a clinical window of opportunity for potentiating clinical efficacy in combination with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshul Pandit
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Hiram C. Polk Jr. M.D. Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Young K Hong
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Hiram C. Polk Jr. M.D. Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Hiram C. Polk Jr. M.D. Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jack Rostas
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Hiram C. Polk Jr. M.D. Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Zachary Pulliam
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Hiram C. Polk Jr. M.D. Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Su Ping Li
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Hiram C. Polk Jr. M.D. Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Robert C G Martin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Hiram C. Polk Jr. M.D. Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.
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Electric field-responsive nanoparticles and electric fields: physical, chemical, biological mechanisms and therapeutic prospects. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 138:56-67. [PMID: 30414494 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Electric fields are among physical stimuli that have revolutionized therapy. Occurring endogenously or exogenously, the electric field can be used as a trigger for controlled drug release from electroresponsive drug delivery systems, can stimulate wound healing and cell proliferation, may enhance endocytosis or guide stem cell differentiation. Electric field pulses may be applied to induce cell fusion, can increase the penetration of therapeutic agents into cells, or can be applied as a standalone therapy to ablate tumors. This review describes the main therapeutic trends and overviews the main physical, chemical and biological mechanisms underlying the actions of electric fields. Overall, the electric field can be used in therapeutic approaches in several ways. The electric field can act on drug carriers, cells and tissues. Understanding the multiple effects of this powerful tool will help harnessing its full therapeutic potential in an efficient and safe way.
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Latouche EL, Arena CB, Ivey JW, Garcia PA, Pancotto TE, Pavlisko N, Verbridge SS, Davalos RV, Rossmeisl JH. High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation for Intracranial Meningioma: A Feasibility Study in a Spontaneous Canine Tumor Model. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2018; 17:1533033818785285. [PMID: 30071778 PMCID: PMC6077896 DOI: 10.1177/1533033818785285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
High-frequency irreversible electroporation is a nonthermal method of tissue ablation
that uses bursts of 0.5- to 2.0-microsecond bipolar electric pulses to permeabilize cell
membranes and induce cell death. High-frequency irreversible electroporation has potential
advantages for use in neurosurgery, including the ability to deliver pulses without
inducing muscle contraction, inherent selectivity against malignant cells, and the
capability of simultaneously opening the blood–brain barrier surrounding regions of
ablation. Our objective was to determine whether high-frequency irreversible
electroporation pulses capable of tumor ablation could be delivered to dogs with
intracranial meningiomas. Three dogs with intracranial meningiomas were treated.
Patient-specific treatment plans were generated using magnetic resonance imaging-based
tissue segmentation, volumetric meshing, and finite element modeling. Following tumor
biopsy, high-frequency irreversible electroporation pulses were stereotactically delivered
in situ followed by tumor resection and morphologic and volumetric
assessments of ablations. Clinical evaluations of treatment included pre- and
posttreatment clinical, laboratory, and magnetic resonance imaging examinations and
adverse event monitoring for 2 weeks posttreatment. High-frequency irreversible
electroporation pulses were administered successfully in all patients. No adverse events
directly attributable to high-frequency irreversible electroporation were observed.
Individual ablations resulted in volumes of tumor necrosis ranging from 0.25 to 1.29
cm3. In one dog, nonuniform ablations were observed, with viable tumor cells
remaining around foci of intratumoral mineralization. In conclusion, high-frequency
irreversible electroporation pulses can be delivered to brain tumors, including areas
adjacent to critical vasculature, and are capable of producing clinically relevant volumes
of tumor ablation. Mineralization may complicate achievement of complete tumor
ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jill W Ivey
- 2 Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | | | - Theresa E Pancotto
- 3 Veterinary and Comparative Neuro-oncology Laboratory, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,4 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Noah Pavlisko
- 3 Veterinary and Comparative Neuro-oncology Laboratory, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,4 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Scott S Verbridge
- 2 Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Rafael V Davalos
- 2 Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - John H Rossmeisl
- 2 Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,3 Veterinary and Comparative Neuro-oncology Laboratory, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,4 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Paiella S, De Pastena M, D'Onofrio M, Crinò SF, Pan TL, De Robertis R, Elio G, Martone E, Bassi C, Salvia R. Palliative therapy in pancreatic cancer-interventional treatment with radiofrequency ablation/irreversible electroporation. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 3:80. [PMID: 30505967 DOI: 10.21037/tgh.2018.10.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a solid tumor with still a dismal prognosis. Diagnosis is usually late, when the disease is metastatic or locally advanced (LAPC). Only 20% of PC are amenable to surgery at the time of diagnosis and the vast majority of them, despite radically resected will unavoidably recur. The treatment of LAPC is a challenge. Current guidelines suggest to adopt systemic therapies upfront, based on multi-drugs chemotherapy regimens. However, the vast majority of patients will never experience conversion to surgical exploration and radical resection. Thus, there a large subgroup of LAPC patients where the only therapeutic chance is to offer palliative treatments, such as interventional ablative treatments, in order to obtain a cytoreduction of the tumor, trying to delay its growth and spread. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) demonstrated to be safe and effective in obtaining a local control of the disease with some promising oncological results in terms of overall survival (OS). However, they should be adopted as a treatment strategy to adopt in parallel with other systemic therapies, within multidisciplinary choices. They are not free from complications, even serious, thus they should applied only in specialized centers of pancreatology. This review depicts the state of the art of the two techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Paiella
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo De Pastena
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, Verona, Italy
| | - Mirko D'Onofrio
- Radiology Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Francesco Crinò
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, Verona, Italy
| | - Teresa Lucia Pan
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Elio
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, Verona, Italy
| | - Enrico Martone
- Radiology Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, Verona, Italy
| | - Claudio Bassi
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, Verona, Italy
| | - Roberto Salvia
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, Verona, Italy
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Zhao Y, Liu H, Bhonsle SP, Wang Y, Davalos RV, Yao C. Ablation outcome of irreversible electroporation on potato monitored by impedance spectrum under multi-electrode system. Biomed Eng Online 2018; 17:126. [PMID: 30236121 PMCID: PMC6148960 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-018-0562-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irreversible electroporation (IRE) therapy relies on pulsed electric fields to non-thermally ablate cancerous tissue. Methods for evaluating IRE ablation in situ are critical to assessing treatment outcome. Analyzing changes in tissue impedance caused by electroporation has been proposed as a method for quantifying IRE ablation. In this paper, we assess the hypothesis that irreversible electroporation ablation outcome can be monitored using the impedance change measured by the electrode pairs not in use, getting more information about the ablation size in different directions. METHODS Using a square four-electrode configuration, the two diagonal electrodes were used to electroporate potato tissue. Next, the impedance changes, before and after treatment, were measured from different electrode pairs and the impedance information was extracted by fitting the data to an equivalent circuit model. Finally, we correlated the change of impedance from various electrode pairs to the ablation geometry through the use of fitted functions; then these functions were used to predict the ablation size and compared to the numerical simulation results. RESULTS The change in impedance from the electrodes used to apply pulses is larger and has higher deviation than the other electrode pairs. The ablation size and the change in resistance in the circuit model correlate with various linear functions. The coefficients of determination for the three functions are 0.8121, 0.8188 and 0.8691, respectively, showing satisfactory agreement. The functions can well predict the ablation size under different pulse numbers, and in some directions it did even better than the numerical simulation method, which used different electric field thresholds for different pulse numbers. CONCLUSIONS The relative change in tissue impedance measured from the non-energized electrodes can be used to assess ablation size during treatment with IRE according to linear functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment and System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazhengjie, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, 329 ICTAS Stanger St (0298), Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Hongmei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment and System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazhengjie, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Suyashree P Bhonsle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, 329 ICTAS Stanger St (0298), Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Yilin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment and System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazhengjie, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Rafael V Davalos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, 329 ICTAS Stanger St (0298), Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Chenguo Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment and System Security and New Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazhengjie, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, China.
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Nano-Pulse Stimulation for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer and the Changes in Immune Profile. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10070217. [PMID: 29954062 PMCID: PMC6070875 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10070217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A Pancreatic cancer is a notorious malignant neoplasm with an extremely poor prognosis. Current standard of care is rarely effective against late-stage pancreatic cancer. In this study, we assessed nanopulse stimulation (NPS) as a local treatment for pancreatic cancer in a syngeneic mouse Pan02 pancreatic cancer model and characterized corresponding changes in the immune profile. A single NPS treatment either achieved complete tumor regression or prolonged overall survival in animals with partial tumor regression. While this is very encouraging, we also explored if this local ablation effect could also result in immune stimulation, as was observed when NPS led to the induction of immune-mediated protection from a second tumor challenge in orthotopic mouse breast and rat liver cancer models. In the Pan02 model, there were insufficient abscopal effects (1/10) and vaccine-like protective effects (1/15) suggesting that NPS-induced immune mechanisms in this model were limited. To evaluate this further, the immune landscape was analyzed. The numbers of both T regulatory cells (Tregs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in blood were significantly reduced, but memory (CD44+) T-cells were absent. Furthermore, the numbers of Tregs and MDSCs did not reduce in spleens compared to tumor-bearing mice. Very few T-cells, but large numbers of MDSCs were present in the NPS treated tumor microenvironment (TME). The number of dendritic cells in the TME was increased and multiple activation markers were upregulated following NPS treatment. Overall, NPS treatments used here are effective for pancreatic tumor ablation, but require further optimization for induction of immunity or the need to include effective combinational NPS therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.
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Conductivity Rise During Irreversible Electroporation: True Permeabilization or Heat? Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2018; 41:1257-1266. [PMID: 29687261 PMCID: PMC6021471 DOI: 10.1007/s00270-018-1971-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Irreversible electroporation (IRE) induces apoptosis with high-voltage electric pulses. Although the working mechanism is non-thermal, development of secondary Joule heating occurs. This study investigated whether the observed conductivity rise during IRE is caused by increased cellular permeabilization or heat development. Methods IRE was performed in a gelatin tissue phantom, in potato tubers, and in 30 patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Continuous versus sequential pulsing protocols (10-90 vs. 10-30-30-30) were assessed. Temperature was measured using fiber-optic probes. After temperature had returned to baseline, 100 additional pulses were delivered. The primary technique efficacy of the treated CRLM was compared to the periprocedural current rise. Seven patients received ten additional pulses after a 10-min cool-down period. Results Temperature and current rise was higher for the continuous pulsing protocol (medians, gel: 13.05 vs. 9.55 °C and 9 amperes (A) vs. 7A; potato: 12.70 vs. 10.53 °C and 6.0A vs. 6.5A). After cooling-down, current returned to baseline in the gel phantom and near baseline values (Δ2A with continuous- and Δ5A with sequential pulsing) in the potato tubers. The current declined after cooling-down in all seven patients with CRLM, although baseline values were not reached. There was a positive correlation between current rise and primary technique efficacy (p = 0.02); however, the previously reported current increase threshold of 12–15A was reached in 13%. Conclusion The observed conductivity rise during IRE is caused by both cellular permeabilization and heat development. Although a correlation between current rise and efficacy exists, the current increase threshold seems unfeasible for CRLM. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00270-018-1971-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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40
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Mele C, Brunani A, Damascelli B, Tichà V, Castello L, Aimaretti G, Scacchi M, Marzullo P. Non-surgical ablative therapies for inoperable benign insulinoma. J Endocrinol Invest 2018; 41:153-162. [PMID: 28755102 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-017-0738-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Benign insulinoma is the most common functioning neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas. The gold-standard therapeutic approach for insulinoma is surgery, which allows for tumor removal, histology and immunochemical analyses. If surgery is not feasible, minimally invasive ablative procedures performed by interventional radiology can lead to partial or complete remission of hormone hypersecretion and tumor control in insulinoma patients. METHODS We performed a review of existing literature on non-chemotherapeutic/radioactive ablative techniques employed for the treatment of benign, otherwise inoperable, pancreatic insulinoma. For this purpose, feasibility, effectiveness and safety of ablative treatments for pancreatic insulinoma were reviewed from literature data published from 1982 to date. RESULTS A total of 44 insulinoma cases treated with non-surgical ablative techniques were desumed, and divided as follows: 7 cases of tumor embolization, 26 ethanol ablations, 7 radiofrequency ablations, 2 high intensity focused ultrasound ablation, 1 irreversible electroporation and 1 percutaneous microwave ablation. Most cases involved single insulinoma, predominantly located in the pancreas head and body. In the majority of patients, ablation was chosen instead of surgery due to severe comorbidities. After an average follow-up of 16 months, the overall success rate of non-surgical ablative treatments of insulinoma was 84%, the recurrence/persistence rate was 16%, and transient adverse events were noted in 23% of cases. Adverse events were usually self-limiting and medically manageable. CONCLUSIONS Non-surgical ablation is a feasible, safe and repeatable procedure in patients with pancreatic insulinoma, who are not candidate to surgery or refuse it. Partial or complete control of symptoms and tumor growth is experienced by the majority of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mele
- Division of General Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ospedale S. Giuseppe, Via Cadorna 90, 28824, Piancavallo, VB, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - A Brunani
- Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ospedale S. Giuseppe, Via Cadorna 90, 28824, Piancavallo, VB, Italy
| | - B Damascelli
- Department of Interventional Radiology, EMO GVM Centro Cuore Columbus, Via Buonarroti 48, 20145, Milan, Italy
| | - V Tichà
- Radiology and Interventional Radiology Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Via Pio II 3, 20153, Milan, Italy
| | - L Castello
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - G Aimaretti
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - M Scacchi
- Division of General Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ospedale S. Giuseppe, Via Cadorna 90, 28824, Piancavallo, VB, Italy
| | - P Marzullo
- Division of General Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ospedale S. Giuseppe, Via Cadorna 90, 28824, Piancavallo, VB, Italy.
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy.
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Ruarus A, Vroomen L, Puijk R, Scheffer H, Zonderhuis B, Kazemier G, van den Tol M, Berger F, Meijerink M. Irreversible Electroporation in Hepatopancreaticobiliary Tumours. Can Assoc Radiol J 2018; 69:38-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carj.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatopancreaticobiliary tumours are often diagnosed at an advanced disease stage, in which encasement or invasion of local biliary or vascular structures has already occurred. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an image-guided tumour ablation technique that induces cell death by exposing the tumour to high-voltage electrical pulses. The cellular membrane is disrupted, while sparing the extracellular matrix of critical tubular structures. The preservation of tissue integrity makes IRE an attractive treatment option for tumours in the vicinity of vital structures such as splanchnic blood vessels and major bile ducts. This article reviews current data and discusses future trends of IRE for hepatopancreaticobiliary tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.H. Ruarus
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - L.G.P.H. Vroomen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - R.S. Puijk
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - H.J. Scheffer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - B.M. Zonderhuis
- Department of Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - G. Kazemier
- Department of Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M.P. van den Tol
- Department of Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F.H. Berger
- Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M.R. Meijerink
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Rashid MF, Hecht EM, Steinman JA, Kluger MD. Irreversible electroporation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a primer for the radiologist. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2018; 43:457-466. [PMID: 29051982 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-017-1349-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is increasingly used for the ablation of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Unlike other ablation technologies that cannot be safely used around critical vasculature or ducts for risk of thermal damage, IRE uses high-voltage pulses to disrupt cellular membranes. This causes cell death by apoptosis and inflammation. IRE has been deployed by both open and percutaneous approaches. Generator parameters are the same for both approaches, and settings are pancreas specific. Variations in settings, probe placement, and probe exposure can result in thermal damage or reversible electroporation and resultant treatment failure, morbidity, or mortality. When used properly, IRE appears to improve overall survival and local recurrence, but does not influence the rate of distant recurrence. However, studies of both open and percutaneous approaches have been relatively small, non-controlled, and without appropriate comparisons. It is challenging for the radiologist to interpret treatment effects after IRE because of a dearth of guiding literature and pathologic correlates. This primer describes technical aspects, pathology correlates, post-IRE imaging, and outcomes for percutaneous and open approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Farzan Rashid
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 161 Fort Washington Ave - 8th Floor, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Hecht
- Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jonathan A Steinman
- Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Michael D Kluger
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 161 Fort Washington Ave - 8th Floor, New York, NY, USA.
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Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Review of Local Ablative Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10010016. [PMID: 29320420 PMCID: PMC5789366 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is typically characterized by its aggressive tumor growth and dismal prognosis. Approximately 30% of patients with pancreatic cancer present with locally advanced disease, broadly defined as having a tumor-to-artery interface >180°, having an unreconstructable portal vein or superior mesenteric vein and no signs of metastatic disease. These patients are currently designated to palliative systemic chemotherapy, though median overall survival remains poor (approximately 11 months). Therefore, several innovative local therapies have been investigated as new treatment options for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). This article provides an overview of available data with regard to morbidity and oncological outcome of novel local therapies for LAPC.
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Abstract
The vast majority of patients who present with pancreatic adenocarcinoma have locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of presentation without possibility of cure. Although in recent years there have been some new promising chemotherapy regimens that improve overall survival by a few months, the prognosis remains dismal. There is, however, a subset of patients who experience durable stable disease or partial responses after initial courses of chemotherapy with locally advanced disease. In these select patients, there remains interest in local ablative therapy with or without resection as a means for local control, palliation of symptoms, and possible improved survival. This review describes the techniques, complications, and expected benefits of several ablative techniques as a treatment modality for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupen Shah
- From the Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
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45
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Dong S, Wang H, Zhao Y, Sun Y, Yao C. First Human Trial of High-Frequency Irreversible Electroporation Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2018; 17:1533033818789692. [PMID: 30045668 PMCID: PMC6071159 DOI: 10.1177/1533033818789692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation, as a nonthermal therapy of prostate cancer, has been used in clinic for several years. The mechanism of irreversible electroporation ablation is thermal independent; thus, the main structures (eg, rectum, urethra, and neurovascular bundle) in prostate are spared during the treatment, which leads to the retention of prostate function. However, various clinical trials have shown that muscle contractions occur during this therapy, which warrants deep muscle anesthesia. Use of high-frequency bipolar pulses has been proposed to reduce muscle contractions during treatment, which has already triggered a multitude of studies at the cellular and animal scale. In this study, we first investigated the efficacy and safety of high-frequency bipolar pulses in human prostate cancer ablation. There are 40 male patients with prostate cancer aged between 51 and 85 years involved in this study. All patients received 250 high-frequency bipolar pulse bursts with the repeat frequency of 1 Hz. Each burst comprised 20 individual pulses of 5 microseconds, so one burst total energized time was 100 microseconds. The number of the electrodes ranged 2 to 6, depending on tumor size. A small amount of muscle relaxant was still needed, so there were no visible muscle contractions during the pulse delivery process. Four weeks after treatment, it was found that the ablation margins were distinct in magnetic resonance imaging scans, and the prostate capsule and urethra were retained. Eight patients underwent radical prostatectomy for pathological analysis after treatment, and the results of hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that the urethra and major vasculature in prostate have been preserved. By overlaying the electric field contour on the ablation zone, the electric field lethality threshold is determined to be 522 ± 74 V/cm. This study is the first to validate the feasibility of tumor ablation by high-frequency bipolar pulses and provide valuable experience of irreversible electroporation in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoulong Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security
and New Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haifeng Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, People’s
Republic of China
| | - Yajun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security
and New Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yinghao Sun
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, People’s
Republic of China
| | - Chenguo Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment & System Security
and New Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
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Ansari D, Kristoffersson S, Andersson R, Bergenfeldt M. The role of irreversible electroporation (IRE) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. Scand J Gastroenterol 2017; 52:1165-1171. [PMID: 28687047 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2017.1346705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new modality for tumor ablation. Electrodes are placed around the tumor, and a pulsed, direct current with a field strength of 2000 V/cm is delivered. The direct current drives cells into apoptosis and cell death without causing significant heating of the tissues, which spares the extracellular matrix and proteins. The purpose of this review was to evaluate current experience of IRE for the ablation of pancreatic cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS We searched PubMed for all studies of IRE in human pancreatic cancer in English reporting at least 10 patients. RESULTS The search yielded 10 studies, comprising a total of 446 patients. Percutaneous IRE was done in 142 patients, while 304 patients were treated during laparotomy. Tumor sizes ranged from median 2.8 to 4.5 cm. Post-procedural complications occurred in 35% of patients, most of them were less severe. Nine patients (2.0%) died after the procedure. The technical success rate was 85-100%. The median recurrence-free survival was 2.7-12.4 months after IRE treatment. The median overall survival was 7-23 months postoperatively. The longest overall survival was noted when IRE was used in conjunction with pancreatic resection. CONCLUSIONS IRE seems feasible and safe with a low post-procedural mortality. Further efforts are needed to address patient selection and efficacy of IRE, as well as the use of IRE for 'margin accentuation' during surgical resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ansari
- a Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund , Lund University, Skåne University Hospital , Lund , Sweden
| | - Stina Kristoffersson
- a Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund , Lund University, Skåne University Hospital , Lund , Sweden
| | - Roland Andersson
- a Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund , Lund University, Skåne University Hospital , Lund , Sweden
| | - Magnus Bergenfeldt
- a Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund , Lund University, Skåne University Hospital , Lund , Sweden
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Campelo S, Valerio M, Ahmed HU, Hu Y, Arena SL, Neal RE, Emberton M, Arena CB. An evaluation of irreversible electroporation thresholds in human prostate cancer and potential correlations to physiological measurements. APL Bioeng 2017; 1:016101. [PMID: 31069281 PMCID: PMC6481690 DOI: 10.1063/1.5005828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an emerging cancer treatment that utilizes non-thermal electric pulses for tumor ablation. The pulses are delivered through minimally invasive needle electrodes inserted into the target tissue and lead to cell death through the creation of nanoscale membrane defects. IRE has been shown to be safe and effective when performed on tumors in the brain, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and prostate that are located near critical blood vessels and nerves. Accurate treatment planning and prediction of the ablation volume require a priori knowledge of the tissue-specific electric field threshold for cell death. This study addresses the challenge of defining an electric field threshold for human prostate cancer tissue. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the ablation volumes were created from one week post-treatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) of ten patients who completed a clinical trial. The ablation volumes were incorporated into a finite element modeling software that was used to simulate patient-specific treatments, and the electric field threshold was calculated by matching the ablation volume to the field contour encompassing the equivalent volume. Solutions were obtained for static tissue electrical properties and dynamic properties that accounted for electroporation. According to the dynamic model, the electric field threshold was 506 ± 66 V/cm. Additionally, a potentially strong correlation (r = −0.624) was discovered between the electric field threshold and pre-treatment prostate-specific antigen levels, which needs to be validated in higher enrollment studies. Taken together, these findings can be used to guide the development of future IRE protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Campelo
- Laboratory for Therapeutic Directed Energy, Department of Physics, Elon University, Elon, North Carolina 27244, USA
| | | | | | - Yipeng Hu
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Robert E Neal
- AngioDynamics, Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752, USA
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Controllable Moderate Heating Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Irreversible Electroporation for Pancreatic Cancer. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11767. [PMID: 28924200 PMCID: PMC5603521 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12227-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) as a non-thermal tumor ablation technology has been studied for the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma and has shown a significant survival benefit. We discovered that moderate heating (MH) at 43 °C for 1-2 minutes significantly enhanced ex vivo IRE tumor ablation of Pan02 cells by 5.67-fold at 750 V/cm and by 1.67-fold at 1500 V/cm. This amount of heating alone did not cause cell death. An integrated IRE system with controllable laser heating and tumor impedance monitoring was developed to treat mouse ectopic pancreatic cancer. With this novel IRE system, we were able to heat and maintain the temperature of a targeted tumor area at 42 °C during IRE treatment. Pre-heating the tumor greatly reduced the impedance of tumor and its fluctuation. Most importantly, MHIRE has been demonstrated to significantly extend median survival and achieve a high rate of complete tumor regression. Median survival was 43, 46 and 84 days, for control, IRE with 100 μs, 1 Hz, 90 pulses and electric fields 2000–2500 V/cm and MHIRE treatment respectively. 55.6% of tumor-bearing mice treated with MHIRE were tumor-free, whereas complete tumor regression was not observed in the control and IRE treatment groups.
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Vogel JA, Rombouts SJ, de Rooij T, van Delden OM, Dijkgraaf MG, van Gulik TM, van Hooft JE, van Laarhoven HW, Martin RC, Schoorlemmer A, Wilmink JW, van Lienden KP, Busch OR, Besselink MG. Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Resection or Irreversible Electroporation in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer (IMPALA): A Prospective Cohort Study. Ann Surg Oncol 2017; 24:2734-2743. [PMID: 28560601 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-017-5900-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following induction chemotherapy, both resection or irreversible electroporation (IRE) may further improve survival in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). However, prospective studies combining these strategies are currently lacking, and available studies only report on subgroups that completed treatment. This study aimed to determine the applicability and outcomes of resection and IRE in patients with nonprogressive LAPC after induction chemotherapy. METHODS This was a prospective, single-center cohort study in consecutive patients with LAPC (September 2013 to March 2015). All patients were offered 3 months of induction chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine depending on performance status), followed by exploratory laparotomy for resection or IRE in patients with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 nonprogressive, IRE-eligible tumors. RESULTS Of 132 patients with LAPC, 70% (n = 93) started with chemotherapy (46% [n = 61] FOLFIRINOX). After 3 months, 59 patients (64%) had nonprogressive disease, of whom 36 (27% of the entire cohort) underwent explorative laparotomy, resulting in 14 resections (11% of the entire cohort, 39% of the explored patients) and 15 IREs (11% of the entire cohort, 42% of the explored patients). After laparotomy, 44% (n = 16) of patients had Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher complications, and 90-day all-cause mortality was 11% (n = 4). With a median follow-up of 24 months, median overall survival after resection, IRE, and for all patients with nonprogressive disease without resection/IRE (n = 30) was 34, 16, and 15 months, respectively. The resection rate in 61 patients receiving FOLFIRINOX treatment was 20%. CONCLUSION Induction chemotherapy followed by IRE or resection in nonprogressive LAPC led to resection or IRE in 22% of all-comers, with promising survival rates after resection but no apparent benefit of IRE, despite considerable morbidity. Registered at Netherlands Trial Register (NTR4230).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jantien A Vogel
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Steffi J Rombouts
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thijs de Rooij
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Otto M van Delden
- Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel G Dijkgraaf
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas M van Gulik
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanin E van Hooft
- Department of Gastroenterology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Robert C Martin
- Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | - Johanna W Wilmink
- Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Krijn P van Lienden
- Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Olivier R Busch
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marc G Besselink
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Martin RCG. Multi-disciplinary management of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with irreversible electroporation. J Surg Oncol 2017; 116:35-45. [PMID: 28475814 DOI: 10.1002/jso.24640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The essential diagnosis for LAPC is based on high-quality cross-sectional imaging, which demonstrates tumor invasion into the celiac/superior mesenteric arteries and/or superior mesenteric/portal venous system that is not reconstructable. The optimal management of these patients is evolving quickly with the advent of newer chemotherapeutics, radiation, and non-thermal ablation modalities. This review will present the current status of initial chemotherapy, surgical therapy, ablative therapy, and radiation therapy for patients with nonmetastatic locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C G Martin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
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