Electrochemotherapy: technological advancements for efficient electroporation-based treatment of internal tumors

作者：Damijan Miklavčič, Gregor Serša, Erik Brecelj, Julie Gehl, Declan M. Soden, Giuseppe Bianchi, Pietro Ruggieri, Carlo Riccardo Rossi, L Campana, Tomaž Jarm · 发表于：Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing · 年份：2012 · DOI：10.1007/s11517-012-0991-8 · 被引用次数：221 · 研究领域：Microbial Inactivation Methods、Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies、Plasma Applications and Diagnostics

Electrochemotherapy, a combination of high voltage electric pulses and of an anticancer drug, has been demonstrated to be highly effective in treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors. Unique properties of electrochemotherapy (e.g., high specificity for targeting cancer cells, high degree of localization of treatment effect, capacity for preserving the innate immune response and the structure of the extracellular matrix) are facilitating its wide spread in the clinics. Due to high effectiveness of electrochemotherapy in treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors regardless of histological origin, there are now attempts to extend its use to treatment of internal tumors. To advance the applicability of electrochemotherapy to treatment of internal solid tumors, new technological developments are needed that will enable treatment of these tumors in daily clinical practice. New electrodes through which electric pulses are delivered to target tissue need to be designed with the aim to access target tissue anywhere in the body. To increase the probability of complete tumor eradication, the electrodes have to be accurately positioned, first to provide an adequate extent of electroporation of all tumor cells and second not to damage critical healthy tissue or organs in its vicinity. This can be achieved by image guided insertion of electrodes that will enable accurate positioning of the electrodes in combination with patient-specific numerical treatment planning or using a pr...