Irreversible electroporation shows efficacy against pancreatic carcinoma without systemic toxicity in mouse models

Abstract

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) therapies show limited success./nIrreversible electroporation (IRE) is an innovative loco-regional therapy in which highvoltage pulses are applied to induce plasma membrane defects leading to cellular death. In the present study we evaluated the feasibility of IRE against PDAC. IRE/ntreatment exhibited significant antitumor effects and prolonged survival in mice with orthotopic xenografts. Extensive tumor necrosis, reduced tumor cell proliferation and disruption of microvessels were observed at different days post-IRE. Animals had transient increases in transaminases, amylase and lipase enzymes that normalized at/n24h post-IRE. These results suggest that IRE could be an effective treatment for locally advanced pancreatic tumors.