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Lopes LB, Pintarelli GB, Guedert R, Andrade DLLS, Antonio AC, Ramos CTS, da Silva JR, Rangel MMM, Suzuki DOH. Novel tetrapolar single-needle electrode for electrochemotherapy in bone cavities: Modeling, design and validation. Med Eng Phys 2024; 125:104120. [PMID: 38508798 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2024.104120] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy is a cancer treatment in which local pulsed electric fields are delivered through electrodes. The effectiveness of the treatment depends on exposing the tumor to a threshold electric field. Electrode geometry plays an important role in the resulting electric field distribution, especially in hard-to-reach areas and deep-seated tumors. We designed and developed a novel tetrapolar single-needle electrode for proper treatment in bone cavities. In silico and in vitro experiments were performed to evaluate the electric field and electric current produced by the electrode. In addition, tomography images of a real case of nasal cavity tumor were segmented into a 3D simulation to evaluate the electrode performance in a bone cavity. The proposed electrode was validated and its operating range was set up to 650 V. In the nasal cavity tumor, we found that the electrode can produce a circular electric field of 3 mm with an electric current of 14.1 A at 500 V, which is compatible with electrochemotherapy standards and commercial equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas B Lopes
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme B Pintarelli
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil; Department of Control and Automation Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau, 89036-004, SC, Brazil
| | - Raul Guedert
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Daniella L L S Andrade
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Afrânio C Antonio
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Clara T S Ramos
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | - Jéssica R da Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Daniela O H Suzuki
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, SC, Brazil
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2
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Andrade DLLS, Pintarelli GB, Rosa JV, Paro IB, Pagano PJT, Silva JCN, Suzuki DOH. Musa acuminata as electroporation model. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 154:108549. [PMID: 37639773 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) and Irreversible electroporation (IRE) are cancer treatments based on electric field distribution in tissues. Solanum tuberosum (potato tissue) phantom is known to mimic changes in the electrical conductivity that occur in animal tissues during electroporation (EP). Electric field distribution is assessed through enzymatic staining. However, the 24-h wait for this assessment could slow agile response scenarios. We developed and validated the Musa acuminata (cavendish banana) conductivity model, which quickly evaluates EP by tissue staining. We investigated the frequency response of the tissue using impedance spectroscopy analysis, conductivity changes, and enzymatic staining. We optimized three usual EP models: adapted Gompertz, smoothed Heaviside, and the sigmoid or logistic function. We found dielectric parameters in banana tissue similar to those in potato (electrical conductivity of 0.035 S/m and relative permittivity of 4.1×104). The coefficients of determination R2 were 99.94% (Gompertz), 99.85% (Heaviside), and 99.58% (sigmoid). The sigmoid and Heaviside functions described the calibration and validation electric currents with 95% confidence. We observed the electroporated areas in bananas 3h30m after EP. Staining was significant after 450 V/cm. The conductivity model of Musa acuminata suits treatment planning, hardware development, and training scenarios. Banana phantom supports the 3Rs practice and is a reliable alternative for potato in EP studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella L L S Andrade
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Guilherme B Pintarelli
- Department of Control and Automation Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau, SC, Brazil
| | - Juliana V Rosa
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Isabela B Paro
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Pedro J T Pagano
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Julia C N Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Daniela O H Suzuki
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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Wu M, Rubin AE, Dai T, Schloss R, Usta OB, Golberg A, Yarmush M. High-Voltage, Pulsed Electric Fields Eliminate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Stable Infection in a Mouse Burn Model. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2021; 10:477-489. [PMID: 33066719 DOI: 10.1089/wound.2019.1147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The incidence of severe infectious complications after burn injury increases mortality by 40%. However, traditional approaches for managing burn infections are not always effective. High-voltage, pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment shortly after a burn injury has demonstrated an antimicrobial effect in vivo; however, the working parameters and long-term effects of PEF treatment have not yet been investigated. Approach: Nine sets of PEF parameters were investigated to optimize the applied voltage, pulse duration, and frequency or pulse repetition for disinfection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in a stable mouse burn wound model. The bacterial load after PEF administration was monitored for 3 days through bioluminescence imaging. Histological assessments and inflammation response analyses were performed at 1 and 24 h after the therapy. Results: Among all tested PEF parameters, the best disinfection efficacy of P. aeruginosa infection was achieved with a combination of 500 V, 100 μs, and 200 pulses delivered at 3 Hz through two plate electrodes positioned 1 mm apart for up to 3 days after the injury. Histological examinations revealed fewer inflammatory signs in PEF-treated wounds compared with untreated infected burns. Moreover, the expression levels of multiple inflammatory-related cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1α/β, IL-6, IL-10, leukemia inhibitory factor [LIF], and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]), chemokines (macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1α/β and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1]), and inflammation-related factors (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], macrophage colony-stimulating factor [M-CSF], and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF]) were significantly decreased in the infected burn wound after PEF treatment. Innovation: We showed that PEF treatment on infected wounds reduces the P. aeruginosa load and modulates inflammatory responses. Conclusion: The data presented in this study suggest that PEF treatment is a potent candidate for antimicrobial therapy for P. aeruginosa burn infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Wu
- Department of Orthodontics, The Affiliated Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Center of Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrey Ethan Rubin
- Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tianhong Dai
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rene Schloss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Osman Berk Usta
- Center of Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexander Golberg
- Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Martin Yarmush
- Center of Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Shriners Burn Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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4
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Bazzolo B, Sieni E, Zamuner A, Roso M, Russo T, Gloria A, Dettin M, Conconi MT. Breast Cancer Cell Cultures on Electrospun Poly(ε-Caprolactone) as a Potential Tool for Preclinical Studies on Anticancer Treatments. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 8:bioengineering8010001. [PMID: 33375053 PMCID: PMC7822015 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During anticancer drug development, most compounds selected by in vitro screening are ineffective in in vivo studies and clinical trials due to the unreliability of two-dimensional (2D) in vitro cultures that are unable to mimic the cancer microenvironment. Herein, HCC1954 cell cultures on electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) were characterized by morphological analysis, cell viability assays, histochemical staining, immunofluorescence, and RT-PCR. Our data showed that electrospun PCL allows the in vitro formation of cultures characterized by mucopolysaccharide production and increased cancer stem cell population. Moreover, PCL-based cultures were less sensitive to doxorubicin and electroporation/bleomycin than those grown on polystyrene plates. Collectively, our data indicate that PCL-based cultures may be promising tools for preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Bazzolo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy; (B.B.); (M.T.C.)
| | - Elisabetta Sieni
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, via Dunant, 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Annj Zamuner
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, via Marzolo, 9, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Martina Roso
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, via Marzolo, 9, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Teresa Russo
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, V.le J.F. Kennedy 54-Mostra d’Oltremare Pad. 20, 80125 Naples, Italy; (T.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Antonio Gloria
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, V.le J.F. Kennedy 54-Mostra d’Oltremare Pad. 20, 80125 Naples, Italy; (T.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Monica Dettin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, via Marzolo, 9, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.R.); (M.D.)
| | - Maria Teresa Conconi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy; (B.B.); (M.T.C.)
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5
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Sieni E, Bazzolo B, Pieretti F, Zamuner A, Tasso A, Dettin M, Conconi MT. Breast cancer cells grown on hyaluronic acid-based scaffolds as 3D in vitro model for electroporation. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 136:107626. [PMID: 32784105 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, electroporation (EP) represents a promising method for the intracellular delivery of anticancer drugs. To setting up the process, the EP efficiency is usually evaluated by using cell suspension and adherent cell cultures that are not representative of the in vivo conditions. Indeed, cells are surrounded by extracellular matrix (ECM) whose composition and physical characteristics are different for each tissue. So, various three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models, such as spheroids and hydrogel-based cultures, have been proposed to mimic the tumour microenvironment. Herein, a 3D breast cancer in vitro model has been proposed. HCC1954 cells were seeded on crosslinked and lyophilized matrices composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) and ionic complementary self-assembling peptides (SAPs) already known to provide a fibrous structure mimicking collagen network. Herein, SAPs were functionalized with laminin derived IKVAV adhesion motif. Cultures were characterized by spheroids surrounded by ECM produced by cancer cells as demonstrated by collagen1a1 and laminin B1 transcripts. EP was carried out on both 2D and 3D cultures: a sequence of 8 voltage pulses at 5 kHz with different amplitude was applied using a plate electrode. Cell sensitivity to EP seemed to be modulated by the presence of ECM and the different cell organization. Indeed, cells cultured on HA-IKVAV were more sensitive than those treated in 2D and HA cultures, in terms of both cell membrane permeabilization and viability. Collectively, our results suggest that HA-IKVAV cultures may represent an interesting model for EP studies. Further studies will be needed to elucidate the influence of ECM composition on EP efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Sieni
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant, 3, 21100 Varese, Italy.
| | - Bianca Bazzolo
- University of Padova, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Fabio Pieretti
- University of Padova, Department of Industrial Engineering, Via Marzolo, 9, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Annj Zamuner
- University of Padova, Department of Industrial Engineering, Via Marzolo, 9, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Alessia Tasso
- University of Padova, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Dettin
- University of Padova, Department of Industrial Engineering, Via Marzolo, 9, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Maria Teresa Conconi
- University of Padova, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, 35131 Padova, Italy.
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6
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Vélez Salazar FM, Patiño Arcila ID, Ruiz Villa CA. Simulation of the influence of voltage level and pulse spacing on the efficiency, aggressiveness and uniformity of the electroporation process in tissues using meshless techniques. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2020; 36:e3304. [PMID: 31899585 DOI: 10.1002/cnm.3304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Electroporation is a widely used method consisting of application of high-voltage, short-duration electric pulses to increase cell membrane permeability, allowing cellular internalization of medications. In this work, the influence of two primary parameters, voltage level (V) and pulse spacing (N), on electroporation efficiency, uniformity and aggressiveness, as quantified by the total mass transport to viable cells, intracellular concentration gradients and an aggressiveness factor introduced here, is studied by means of numerical simulations of drug transport in electroporated tissues. The global method of approximate particular solutions (Global MAPS) is used to solve the governing equations, together with domain scaling, singular value decomposition and smoothing algorithms, to address the ill-conditioning of the final system and suppress small scale oscillations. The accuracy of Global MAPS is evaluated by comparing the initial extracellular concentration, Ce , and final intracellular concentration, Ci , with previous finite volume method results, obtaining similar behavior of Ce and Ci along the tissue domain, with some differences for Ci in high-gradient zones. According to the Global MAPS results, the influence of V and N on Ci is only significant over a certain range, within which the largest drug transport to viable cells occurs. In general, both electroporation efficiency and aggressiveness change in nonuniform manner with V and decrease with N, whereas the electroporation uniformity decreases as V increases and N decreases. The contour plots obtained here can be considered useful tools to compare electroporation-based treatments in terms of their efficiency, aggressiveness and uniformity, assisting in the selection of a suitable treatment plan for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabián M Vélez Salazar
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Ambiental - GIIAM, Institución Universitaria Pascual Bravo - IU Pascual Bravo, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo de Ciencias Administrativas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano - ITM, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Iván D Patiño Arcila
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Ambiental - GIIAM, Institución Universitaria Pascual Bravo - IU Pascual Bravo, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Carlos A Ruiz Villa
- Centro de Investigación, Innovación, Desarrollo y Transferencia de Tecnología - CI2DT2, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales, Colombia
- Departamento de Informática y Computación, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Manizales, Colombia
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7
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Abstract
Electrochemotherapy is gaining recognition as an effective local therapy that uses systemically or intratumorally injected bleomycin or cisplatin with electroporation as a delivery system that brings drugs into the cells to exert their cytotoxic effects. Preclinical work is still ongoing, testing new drugs, seeking the best treatment combination with other treatment modalities, and exploring new sets of pulses for effective tissue electroporation. The applications of electrochemotherapy are being fully exploited in veterinary oncology, where electrochemotherapy, because of its simple execution, has a relatively good cost-benefit ratio and is used in the treatment of cutaneous tumors. In human oncology, electrochemotherapy is fully recognized as a local therapy for cutaneous tumors and metastases. Its effectiveness is being explored in combination with immunomodulatory drugs. However, the development of electrochemotherapy is directed into the treatment of deep-seated tumors with a percutaneous approach. Because of the vast number of reports, this review discusses the articles published in the past 5 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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8
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A Novel 3D Scaffold for Cell Growth to Asses Electroporation Efficacy. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111470. [PMID: 31752448 PMCID: PMC6912677 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor electroporation (EP) refers to the permeabilization of the cell membrane by means of short electric pulses thus allowing the potentiation of chemotherapeutic drugs. Standard plate adhesion 2D cell cultures can simulate the in vivo environment only partially due to lack of cell–cell interaction and extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we assessed a novel 3D scaffold for cell cultures based on hyaluronic acid and ionic-complementary self-assembling peptides (SAPs), by studying the growth patterns of two different breast carcinoma cell lines (HCC1569 and MDA-MB231). This 3D scaffold modulates cell shape and induces extracellular matrix deposit around cells. In the MDA-MB 231 cell line, it allows three-dimensional growth of structures known as spheroids, while in HCC1569 it achieves a cell organization similar to that observed in vivo. Interestingly, we were able to visualize the electroporation effect on the cells seeded in the new scaffold by means of standard propidium iodide assay and fluorescence microscopy. Thanks to the presence of cell–cell and cell–ECM interactions, the new 3D scaffold may represent a more reliable support for EP studies than 2D cancer cell cultures and may be used to test new EP-delivered drugs and novel EP protocols.
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9
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Abstract
Thyroid nodules are very common, and their frequency is four to five times higher in women than in men. Most of them are benign, with only a very little percentage revealing a malignant neoplasm. About 50% of thyroid nodules are detected by self-palpation of neck, whereas the other 50% are diagnosed by neck ultrasonography and following fine-needle aspiration. Management of thyroid nodules is very difficult, because benign nodules are prevalent, whereas thyroid carcinoma is uncommon, representing only 1% of all malignancies. A standard diagnostic approach is represented by 'first-level' exams, consisting in neck ultrasonography and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone measurement, followed, only for nodules that are suspicious of malignancy, by 'second-level' exams, consisting of fine-needle aspiration and mutational test, which does detect particular DNA mutations present only in malignant cells. In this review, we will analyze the genetics of thyroid cancer and its heterogeneity, and we will briefly describe the current available diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
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10
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Cell-seeded 3D scaffolds as in vitro models for electroporation. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 125:15-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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11
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Campana LG, Bullo M, Di Barba P, Dughiero F, Forzan M, Mognaschi ME, Sgarbossa P, Tosi AL, Bernardis A, Sieni E. Effect of Tissue Inhomogeneity in Soft Tissue Sarcomas: From Real Cases to Numerical and Experimental Models. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2018; 17:1533033818789693. [PMID: 30045667 PMCID: PMC6071161 DOI: 10.1177/1533033818789693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy is an established treatment option for patients with superficially
metastatic tumors, mainly malignant melanoma and breast cancer. Based on preliminary
experiences, electrochemotherapy has the potential to be translated in the treatment of
larger and deeper neoplasms, such as soft tissue sarcomas. However, soft tissue sarcomas
are characterized by tissue inhomogeneity and, consequently, by variable electrical
characteristic of tumor tissue. The inhomogeneity in conductivity represents the cause of
local variations in the electric field intensity. Crucially, this fact may hamper the
achievement of the electroporation threshold during the electrochemotherapy procedure. In
order to evaluate the effect of tissue inhomogeneity on the electric field distribution,
we first performed ex vivo analysis of some clinical cases to quantify
the inhomogeneity area. Subsequently, we performed some simulations where the electric
field intensity was evaluated by means of finite element analysis. The results of the
simulation models are finally compared to an experimental model based on potato and tissue
mimic materials. Tissue mimic materials are materials where the conductivity can be
suitably designed. The coupling of computation and experimental results could be helpful
to show the effect of the inhomogeneity in terms of variation in electric field
distribution and characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Giovanni Campana
- 1 Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy.,2 Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Bullo
- 3 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Di Barba
- 4 Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Dughiero
- 3 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Michele Forzan
- 3 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Evelina Mognaschi
- 4 Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paolo Sgarbossa
- 3 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Tosi
- 5 Melanoma and Sarcoma Pathology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessia Bernardis
- 3 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Sieni
- 3 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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12
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Ongaro A, Campana LG, De Mattei M, Di Barba P, Dughiero F, Forzan M, Mognaschi ME, Pellati A, Rossi CR, Bernardello C, Sieni E. Effect of Electrode Distance in Grid Electrode: Numerical Models and In Vitro Tests. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2018; 17:1533033818764498. [PMID: 29558871 PMCID: PMC5863864 DOI: 10.1177/1533033818764498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy is an emerging local treatment for the management of superficial tumors and, among these, also chest wall recurrences from breast cancer. Generally, the treatment of this peculiar type of tumor requires the coverage of large skin areas. In these cases, electrochemotherapy treatment by means of standard small size needle electrodes (an array of 0.73 cm spaced needles, which covers an area of 1.5 cm2) is time-consuming and can allow an inhomogeneous coverage of the target area. We have previously designed grid devices suitable for treating an area ranging from 12 to 200 cm2. In this study, we propose different approaches to study advantages and drawbacks of a grid device with needles positioned 2 cm apart. The described approach includes a numerical evaluation to estimate electric field intensity, followed by an experimental quantification of electroporation on a cell culture. The electric field generated in a conductive medium has been studied by means of 3-dimensional numerical models with varying needle pair distance from 1 to 2 cm. In particular, the electric field evaluation shows that the electric field intensity with varying needle distance is comparable in the area in the middle of the 2 electrodes. Differently, near needles, the electric field intensity increases with the increasing electrode distance and supply voltage. The computational results have been correlated with experimental ones obtained in vitro on cell culture. In particular, electroporation effect has been assessed on human breast cancer cell line MCF7, cultured in monolayer. The use of 2-cm distant needles, supplied by 2000 V, produced an electroporation effect in the whole area comprised between the electrodes. Areas of cell culture where reversible and irreversible electroporation occurred were identified under microscope by using fluorescent dyes. The coupling of computation and experimental results could be helpful to evaluate the effect of the needle distance on the electric field intensity in cell cultures in terms of reversible or irreversible electroporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Ongaro
- 1 Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luca Giovanni Campana
- 2 Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy.,3 Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Monica De Mattei
- 1 Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Di Barba
- 4 Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Dughiero
- 5 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Michele Forzan
- 5 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Evelina Mognaschi
- 4 Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Agnese Pellati
- 1 Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carlo Riccardo Rossi
- 2 Surgical Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy.,3 Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Clara Bernardello
- 5 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Sieni
- 5 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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13
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González MM, Aguilar CH, Pacheco FAD, Cabrales LEB, Reyes JB, Nava JJG, Ambrosio PE, Domiguez DS, Sierra González VG, Pupo AEB, Ciria HMC, Alemán EI, García FM, Rivas CB, Reina EC. Tissue Damage, Temperature, and pH Induced by Different Electrode Arrays on Potato Pieces ( Solanum tuberosum L.). Front Oncol 2018; 8:101. [PMID: 29725584 PMCID: PMC5917672 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most challenging problems of electrochemical therapy is the design and selection of suitable electrode array for cancer. The aim is to determine how two-dimensional spatial patterns of tissue damage, temperature, and pH induced in pieces of potato (Solanum tuberosum L., var. Mondial) depend on electrode array with circular, elliptical, parabolic, and hyperbolic shape. The results show the similarity between the shapes of spatial patterns of tissue damage and electric field intensity, which, like temperature and pH take the same shape of electrode array. The adequate selection of suitable electrodes array requires an integrated analysis that involves, in a unified way, relevant information about the electrochemical process, which is essential to perform more efficiently way the therapeutic planning and the personalized therapy for patients with a cancerous tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maraelys Morales González
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
| | - Claudia Hernández Aguilar
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (ESIME)-Zacatenco, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Flavio Arturo Domínguez Pacheco
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (ESIME)-Zacatenco, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Luis Enrique Bergues Cabrales
- Centro Nacional de Electromagnetismo Aplicado (CNEA), Dirección de Ciencia e Innovación Tecnológica, Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
| | - Juan Bory Reyes
- Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (ESIME)-Zacatenco, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Juan José Godina Nava
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Modelagem Computacional, Departamento de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil.,Departamento de Física, Centro de Investigaciones Avanzadas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), México City, Mexico
| | - Paulo Eduardo Ambrosio
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Modelagem Computacional, Departamento de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Dany Sanchez Domiguez
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Modelagem Computacional, Departamento de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Elisa Bergues Pupo
- Department Theory and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Héctor Manuel Camué Ciria
- Centro Nacional de Electromagnetismo Aplicado (CNEA), Dirección de Ciencia e Innovación Tecnológica, Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
| | - Elizabeth Issac Alemán
- Centro Nacional de Electromagnetismo Aplicado (CNEA), Dirección de Ciencia e Innovación Tecnológica, Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
| | - Francisco Monier García
- Departamento de Telecomunicaciones, Facultad de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
| | - Clara Berenguer Rivas
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
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Novickij V, Dermol J, Grainys A, Kranjc M, Miklavčič D. Membrane permeabilization of mammalian cells using bursts of high magnetic field pulses. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3267. [PMID: 28462057 PMCID: PMC5408723 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell membrane permeabilization by pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) is a novel contactless method which results in effects similar to conventional electroporation. The non-invasiveness of the methodology, independence from the biological object homogeneity and electrical conductance introduce high flexibility and potential applicability of the PEMF in biomedicine, food processing, and biotechnology. The inferior effectiveness of the PEMF permeabilization compared to standard electroporation and the lack of clear description of the induced transmembrane transport are currently of major concern. METHODS The PEMF permeabilization experiments have been performed using a 5.5 T, 1.2 J pulse generator with a multilayer inductor as an applicator. We investigated the feasibility to increase membrane permeability of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells using short microsecond (15 µs) pulse bursts (100 or 200 pulses) at low frequency (1 Hz) and high dB/dt (>106 T/s). The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry using two different fluorescent dyes: propidium iodide (PI) and YO-PRO®-1 (YP). The results were compared to conventional electroporation (single pulse, 1.2 kV/cm, 100 µs), i.e., positive control. RESULTS The proposed PEMF protocols (both for 100 and 200 pulses) resulted in increased number of permeable cells (70 ± 11% for PI and 67 ± 9% for YP). Both cell permeabilization assays also showed a significant (8 ± 2% for PI and 35 ± 14% for YP) increase in fluorescence intensity indicating membrane permeabilization. The survival was not affected. DISCUSSION The obtained results demonstrate the potential of PEMF as a contactless treatment for achieving reversible permeabilization of biological cells. Similar to electroporation, the PEMF permeabilization efficacy is influenced by pulse parameters in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitalij Novickij
- Institute of High Magnetic Fields, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Janja Dermol
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Audrius Grainys
- Institute of High Magnetic Fields, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Matej Kranjc
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Campana LG, Dughiero F, Forzan M, Rossi CR, Sieni E. A prototype of a flexible grid electrode to treat widespread superficial tumors by means of Electrochemotherapy. Radiol Oncol 2016; 50:49-57. [PMID: 27069449 PMCID: PMC4825332 DOI: 10.1515/raon-2016-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, superficial chest wall recurrence from breast cancer can be effectively treated by means of electrochemotherapy, with the majority of patients achieving response to treatment. Nevertheless, tumor spread along superficial lymphatic vessels makes this peculiar type of tumor recurrence prone to involve large skin areas and difficult to treat. In these cases, electroporation with standard, small size needle electrodes can be time-consuming and produce an inhomogeneous coverage of the target area, ultimately resulting in patient under treatment. Materials and methods Authors designed and developed a prototype of a flexible grid electrode aimed at the treatment of large skin surfaces and manufactured a connection box to link the pulse applicator to a voltage pulse generator. Laboratory tests on potato tissue were performed in order to evaluate the electroporation effect, which was evaluated by observing color change of treated tissue. Results A device has been designed in order to treat chest wall recurrences from breast cancer. According to preliminary tests, the new flexible support of the electrode allows the adaptability to the surface to be treated. Moreover, the designed devices can be useful to treat a larger surface in 2–5 minutes. Conclusions Authors developed the prototype of a new pulse applicator aimed at the treatment of widespread superficial tumors. This flexible grid needle electrode was successfully tested on potato tissue and produced an electroporation effect. From a clinical point of view, the development of this device may shorten electrochemotherapy procedure thus allowing clinicians to administer electric pulses at the time of maximum tumor exposure to drugs. Moreover, since the treatment time is 2–5 min long, it could also reduce the time of anesthesia, thus improving patient recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michele Forzan
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Sieni
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
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