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Peng W, Yue Y, Zhang Y, Li H, Zhang C, Wang P, Cao Y, Liu X, Dong S, Wu M, Yao C. Scheduled dosage regimen by irreversible electroporation of loaded erythrocytes for cancer treatment. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:046102. [PMID: 37854061 PMCID: PMC10581719 DOI: 10.1063/5.0174353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise control of cargo release is essential but still a great challenge for any drug delivery system. Irreversible electroporation (IRE), utilizing short high-voltage pulsed electric fields to destabilize the biological membrane, has been recently approved as a non-thermal technique for tumor ablation without destroying the integrity of adjacent collagenous structures. Due to the electro-permeating membrane ability, IRE might also have great potential to realize the controlled drug release in response to various input IRE parameters, which were tested in a red blood cell (RBC) model in this work. According to the mathematical simulation model of a round biconcave disc-like cell based on RBC shape and dielectric characteristics, the permeability and the pore density of the RBC membrane were found to quantitatively depend on the pulse parameters. To further provide solid experimental evidence, indocyanine green (ICG) and doxorubicin (DOX) were both loaded inside RBCs (RBC@DOX&ICG) and the drug release rates were found to be tailorable by microsecond pulsed electric field (μsPEF). In addition, μsPEF could effectively modulate the tumor stroma to augment therapy efficacy by increasing micro-vessel density and permeability, softening extracellular matrix, and alleviating tumor hypoxia. Benefiting from these advantages, this IRE-responsive RBC@DOX&ICG achieved a remarkably synergistic anti-cancer effect by the combination of μsPEF and chemotherapy in the tumor-bearing mice model, with the survival time increasing above 90 days without tumor burden. Given that IRE is easily adaptable to different plasma membrane-based vehicles for delivering diverse drugs, this approach could offer a general applicability for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wencheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment and System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaqi Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment and System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shoulong Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment and System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Wu
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| | - Chenguo Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment and System Security and New Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
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Kulbacka J, Rembiałkowska N, Szewczyk A, Rossowska J, Drąg-Zalesińska M, Kulbacki M, Choromańska A. Nanosecond PEF Induces Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis via Proteasomal Activity Inhibition in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells with Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12943. [PMID: 36361727 PMCID: PMC9657809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanosecond (ns) pulsed electric field (PEF) is a technology in which the application of ultra-short electrical pulses can be used to disrupt the barrier function of cell plasma and internal membranes. Disruptions of the membrane integrity cause a substantial imbalance in cell homeostasis in which oxidative stress is a principal component. In the present study, nsPEF-induced oxidative stress was investigated in two gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines (EPG85-257P and EPG85-257RDB) which differ by their sensitivity to daunorubicin. Cells were exposed to 200 pulses of 10 ns duration, with the amplitude and pulse repetition frequency at 1 kHz, with electric field intensity varying from 12.5 to 50 kV/cm. The electroporation buffer contained either 1 mM or 2 mM calcium chloride. CellMask DeepRed visualized cell plasma permeabilization, Fluo-4 was used to visualize internal calcium ions content, and F-actin was labeled with AlexaFluor®488 for the cytoskeleton. The cellular viability was determined by MTT assay. An alkaline and neutral comet assay was employed to detect apoptotic and necrotic cell death. The luminescent method estimated the modifications in GSSG/GSH redox potential and the imbalance of proteasomal activity (chymotrypsin-, trypsin- and caspase-like). The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was measured by flow cytometry using dihydroethidium (DHE) dye. Morphological visualization indicated cell shrinkage, affected cell membranes (characteristic bubbles and changed cell shape), and the reorganization of actin fibers with sites of its dense concentration; the effect was more intense with the increasing electric field strength. The most significant decrease in cell viability and GSSG/GSH redox potential was noted at the highest amplitude of 50 kV/cm, and calcium ions amplified this effect. nsPEF, particularly with calcium ions, inhibited proteasomal activities, resulting in increased protein degradation. nsPEF increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and ROS levels. The EPG85-257 RDB cell line, which is resistant to standard chemotherapy, was more sensitive to applied nsPEF protocols. The applied nsPEF method disrupted the metabolism of cancer cells and induced apoptotic cell death. The nsPEF ability to cause apoptosis, oxidative stress, and protein degradation make the nsPEF methodology a suitable alternative to current anticancer pharmacological methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211 A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Nina Rembiałkowska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211 A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Szewczyk
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211 A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Animal Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wroclaw, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Rossowska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 50-422 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Drąg-Zalesińska
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Division of Human Morpholog and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek Kulbacki
- Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology, 02-008 Warsaw, Poland
- DIVE IN AI, 53-307 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Choromańska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211 A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
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Gao X, Zhang Y, Han X, Li Z, Chen B, Li Q, Hu L, Lv Y, Ren F. Numerical analysis and animal study of noninvasive handheld electroporation delivery device for skin superficial lesion treatment. Int J Hyperthermia 2022; 39:1017-1025. [PMID: 35912525 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2022.2104937] [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: 10/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aims to investigate the feasibility of a noninvasive handheld electroporation pulses delivery device (EPDD) for electroporation-based treatment (EBT) of skin superficial lesions through numerical analysis and animal study. METHODS Finite element analysis was performed to investigate the performance of the EPDD. The electric field, temperature, EI and TI were calculated under pulse voltages of 600, 800, and 1000 V. A mouse subcutaneous tumor model was established to evaluate the performance of the EPDD through histopathology and survival analyses. RESULTS The electrical field strength increased from 151 (600 V) to 252 V/cm (1000 V) in the skin and from 1302 (600 V) to 2171 V/cm (1000 V) in the tumor. The volume of EI grew and reached a plateau at the 165th pulse, whereas the maximum volume of EI increased with higher voltage. The growth tendency of TI differed between groups, and it was higher in the high-voltage group (HVG) than in the low-voltage group. Histopathological analysis showed that the depth and range of the ablation area could be controlled by adjusting pulse voltage. Survival analysis showed that the survival of the HVG was better than that of the low-voltage and the control group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that the EPDD is feasible, safe, and effective for skin EBT. The volume of EP tissue injury can be controlled by adjusting the pulse voltage, pulse number, and other parameters. The proposed noninvasive handheld EPDD can be a potential therapeutic tool for EBT of superficial skin lesions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyao Gao
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuchi Zhang
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Electrical Science and Technology Research Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuan Han
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhuoqun Li
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bowen Chen
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qingshan Li
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Liangshuo Hu
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi Lv
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fenggang Ren
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Rembiałkowska N, Novickij V, Baczyńska D, Dubińska-Magiera M, Saczko J, Rudno-Rudzińska J, Maciejewska M, Kulbacka J. Micro- and Nanosecond Pulses Used in Doxorubicin Electrochemotherapy in Human Breast and Colon Cancer Cells with Drug Resistance. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27072052. [PMID: 35408450 PMCID: PMC9000361 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Pulsed electric field (PEF) techniques are commonly used to support the delivery of various molecules. A PEF seems a promising method for low permeability drugs or when cells demonstrate therapy resistance and the cell membrane becomes an impermeable barrier. (2) Methods: In this study, we have used doxorubicin-resistant and sensitive models of human breast cancer (MCF-7/DX, MCF-7/WT) and colon cancer cells (LoVo, LoVoDX). The study aimed to investigate the susceptibility of the cells to doxorubicin (DOX) and electric fields in the 20–900 ns pulse duration range. The viability assay was utilized to evaluate the PEF protocols’ efficacy. Cell confluency and reduced glutathione were measured after PEF protocols. (3) Results: The obtained results showed that PEFs significantly supported doxorubicin delivery and cytotoxicity after 48 and 72 h. The 60 kV/cm ultrashort pulses × 20 ns × 400 had the most significant cytotoxic anticancer effect. The increase in DOX concentration provokes a decrease in cell viability, affected cell confluency, and reduced GSSH when combined with the ESOPE (European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy) protocol. Additionally, reactive oxygen species after PEF and PEF-DOX were detected. (4) Conclusions: Ultrashort electric pulses with low DOX content or ESOPE with higher DOX content seem the most promising in colon and breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rembiałkowska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (N.R.); (D.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Vitalij Novickij
- Institute of High Magnetic Fields, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, LT-03227 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Dagmara Baczyńska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (N.R.); (D.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Magda Dubińska-Magiera
- Department of Animal Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Wroclaw, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Jolanta Saczko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (N.R.); (D.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Julia Rudno-Rudzińska
- Department of General and Oncological Surgery, Medical University Hospital, Borowska 211, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Maciejewska
- Laboratory of Experimental Anticancer Therapy, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (N.R.); (D.B.); (J.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Aycock KN, Vadlamani RA, Jacobs EJ, Imran KM, Verbridge S, Allen IC, Manuchehrabadi N, Davalos RV. Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Parameters Affecting High-frequency Irreversible Electroporation for Prostate Cancer Ablation. J Biomech Eng 2022; 144:1131491. [PMID: 35044426 DOI: 10.1115/1.4053595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
While the primary goal of focal therapy for prostate cancer (PCa) is conserving patient quality of life by reducing oncological burden, available modalities use thermal energy or whole-gland radiation which can damage critical neurovascular structures within the prostate and increase risk of genitourinary dysfunction. High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) is a promising alternative ablation modality that utilizes bursts of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) to destroy aberrant cells via targeted membrane damage. Due to its non-thermal mechanism, H-FIRE offers several advantages over state-of-the-art treatments, but waveforms have not been optimized for treatment of PCa. In this study, we characterize lethal electric field thresholds (EFTs) for H-FIRE waveforms with three different pulse widths as well as three interpulse delays in vitro and compare them to conventional IRE. Experiments were performed in non-neoplastic and malignant prostate cells to determine the effect of waveforms on both targeted (malignant) and adjacent (non-neoplastic) tissue. A numerical modeling approach was developed to estimate the clinical effects of each waveform including extent of non-thermal ablation, undesired thermal damage, and nerve excitation. Our findings indicate that H-FIRE waveforms with pulse durations of 5 and 10 µs provide large ablations comparable to IRE with tolerable levels of thermal damage and minimized muscle contractions. Lower duration (2 µs) H-FIRE waveforms exhibit the least amount of muscle contractions but require increased voltages which may be accompanied by unwanted thermal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth N Aycock
- Virginia Tech, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, 325 Stanger St, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Ram Anand Vadlamani
- Virginia Tech, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, 325 Stanger St, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Edward J Jacobs
- Virginia Tech, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, 325 Stanger St, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Khan Mohammad Imran
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, 205 Duck Pond Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Scott Verbridge
- Virginia Tech, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, 325 Stanger St, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | - Irving C Allen
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, 205 Duck Pond Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061
| | | | - Rafael V Davalos
- Virginia Tech, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, 325 Stanger St, Blacksburg, VA 24061
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Liu H, Zhao Y, Yao C, Schmelz EM, Davalos RV. Differential effects of nanosecond pulsed electric fields on cells representing progressive ovarian cancer. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 142:107942. [PMID: 34509872 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) may induce differential effects on tumor cells from different disease stages and could be suitable for treating tumors by preferentially targeting the late-stage/highly aggressive tumor cells. In this study, we investigated the nsPEF responses of mouse ovarian surface epithelial (MOSE) cells representing progressive ovarian cancer from benign to malignant stages and highly aggressive tumor-initiating-like cells. We established the cell-seeded 3D collagen scaffolds cultured with or without Nocodazole (eliminating the influence of cell proliferation on ablation outcome) to observe the ablation effects at 3 h and 24 h after treatment and compared the corresponding thresholds obtained by numerically calculated electric field distribution. The results showed that nsPEFs induced larger ablation areas with lower thresholds as the cell progress from benign, malignant to a highly aggressive phenotype. This differential effect was not affected by the different doubling times of the cells, as apparent by similar ablation induction after a synergistic treatment of nsPEFs and Nocodazole. The result suggests that nsPEFs could induce preferential ablation effects on highly aggressive and malignant ovarian cancer cells than their benign counterparts. This study provides an experimental basis for the research on killing malignant tumor cells via electrical treatments and may have clinical implications for treating tumors and preventing tumor recurrence after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Liu
- School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400033, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Yajun Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; College of Electrical Engineering and Control Science, Nanjing Tech. University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Chenguo Yao
- School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400033, China.
| | - Eva M Schmelz
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Rafael V Davalos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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