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Sieni E, Dettin M, Zamuner A, Conconi MT, Bazzolo B, Balducci C, Di Barba P, Forzan M, Lamberti P, Mognaschi ME. Finite Element Evaluation of the Electric Field Distribution in a Non-Homogeneous Environment. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1062. [PMID: 37760163 PMCID: PMC10525744 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10091062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Finite element analysis is used in this study to investigate the effect of media inhomogeneity on the electric field distribution in a sample composed of cells and their extracellular matrix. The sample is supposed to be subjected to very high pulsed electric field. Numerically computed electric field distribution and transmembrane potential at the cell membrane in electroporation conditions are considered in order to study cell behavior at different degrees of inhomogeneity. The different inhomogeneity grade is locally obtained using a representative model of fixed volume with cell-cell distance varying in the range of 1-283 um. The conductivity of the extracellular medium was varied between plain collagen and a gel-like myxoid matrix through combinations of the two, i.e., collagen and myxoid. An increase in the transmembrane potential was shown in the case of higher aggregate. The results obtained in this study show the effect of the presence of the cell aggregates and collagen on the transmembrane potential. In particular, by increasing the cell aggregation in the two cases, the transmembrane potential increased. Finally, the simulation results were compared to experimental data obtained by culturing HCC1954 cells in a hyaluronic acid-based scaffold. The experimental validation confirmed the behavior of the transmembrane potential in presence of the collagen: an increase in electroporation at a lower electric field intensity was found for the cells cultured in the scaffolds where there is the formation of collagen areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Sieni
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Italian Interuniversity Center ICEMB (Interaction between Electromagnetic Fields and Biosystems), DIET University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy; (P.L.); (M.E.M.)
| | - Monica Dettin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padua, Italy; (M.D.); (C.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Annj Zamuner
- Department of Civil Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padua, Italy;
| | - Maria Teresa Conconi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (M.T.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Bianca Bazzolo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (M.T.C.); (B.B.)
| | - Cristian Balducci
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padua, Italy; (M.D.); (C.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Paolo Di Barba
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, Pavia University, Via Ferrata 5, 21100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Michele Forzan
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padua, Italy; (M.D.); (C.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Patrizia Lamberti
- Italian Interuniversity Center ICEMB (Interaction between Electromagnetic Fields and Biosystems), DIET University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy; (P.L.); (M.E.M.)
- Department of Information and Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Maria Evelina Mognaschi
- Italian Interuniversity Center ICEMB (Interaction between Electromagnetic Fields and Biosystems), DIET University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy; (P.L.); (M.E.M.)
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, Pavia University, Via Ferrata 5, 21100 Pavia, Italy;
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Merola G, Fusco R, Di Bernardo E, D’Alessio V, Izzo F, Granata V, Contartese D, Cadossi M, Audenino A, Perazzolo Gallo G. Design and Characterization of a Minimally Invasive Bipolar Electrode for Electroporation. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9090303. [PMID: 32967343 PMCID: PMC7563710 DOI: 10.3390/biology9090303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test a new bipolar electrode for electroporation consisting of a single minimally invasive needle. METHODS A theoretical study was performed by using Comsol Multiphysics® software. The prototypes of electrode have been tested on potatoes and pigs, adopting an irreversible electroporation protocol. Different applied voltages and different geometries of bipolar electrode prototype have been evaluated. RESULTS Simulations and pre-clinical tests have shown that the volume of ablated area is mainly influenced by applied voltage, while the diameter of the electrode had a lesser impact, making the goal of minimal-invasiveness possible. The conductive pole's length determined an increase of electroporated volume, while the insulated pole length inversely affects the electroporated volume size and shape; when the insulated pole length decreases, a more regular shape of the electric field is obtained. Moreover, the geometry of the electrode determined a different shape of the electroporated volume. A parenchymal damage in the liver of pigs due to irreversible electroporation protocol was observed. CONCLUSION The minimally invasive bipolar electrode is able to treat an electroporated volume of about 10 mm in diameter by using a single-needle electrode. Moreover, the geometry and the electric characteristics can be selected to produce ellipsoidal ablation volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Merola
- Oncology Medical and Research & Development Division, Igea SpA, 41012 Carpi, Italy; (G.M.); (E.D.B.); (V.D.); (M.C.); (G.P.G.)
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Oncology Medical and Research & Development Division, Igea SpA, 41012 Carpi, Italy; (G.M.); (E.D.B.); (V.D.); (M.C.); (G.P.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Elio Di Bernardo
- Oncology Medical and Research & Development Division, Igea SpA, 41012 Carpi, Italy; (G.M.); (E.D.B.); (V.D.); (M.C.); (G.P.G.)
| | - Valeria D’Alessio
- Oncology Medical and Research & Development Division, Igea SpA, 41012 Carpi, Italy; (G.M.); (E.D.B.); (V.D.); (M.C.); (G.P.G.)
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Hepatobiliary Surgical Oncology Unit, “Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale—IRCCS di Napoli”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Vincenza Granata
- Radiology Unit, “Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale—IRCCS di Napoli”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Deyanira Contartese
- Complex Structure of Surgical Sciences and Technologies, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Matteo Cadossi
- Oncology Medical and Research & Development Division, Igea SpA, 41012 Carpi, Italy; (G.M.); (E.D.B.); (V.D.); (M.C.); (G.P.G.)
| | - Alberto Audenino
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, 10138 Turin, Italy;
| | - Giacomo Perazzolo Gallo
- Oncology Medical and Research & Development Division, Igea SpA, 41012 Carpi, Italy; (G.M.); (E.D.B.); (V.D.); (M.C.); (G.P.G.)
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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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4
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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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5
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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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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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7
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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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8
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Romeo S, Sannino A, Scarfì MR, Vernier PT, Cadossi R, Gehl J, Zeni O. ESOPE-Equivalent Pulsing Protocols for Calcium Electroporation: An In Vitro Optimization Study on 2 Cancer Cell Models. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2018; 17:1533033818788072. [PMID: 30021498 PMCID: PMC6053871 DOI: 10.1177/1533033818788072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Reversible electroporation is used to increase the uptake of chemotherapeutic drugs in local tumor treatment (electrochemotherapy) by applying the pulsing protocol (8 rectangular pulses, 1000 V/cm, 100 µs) standardized in the framework of the European Standard Operating Procedure on Electrochemotherapy multicenter trial. Currently, new electrochemotherapy strategies are under development to extend its applicability to tumors with different histology. Electrical parameters and drug type are critical factors. A possible approach is to test pulse parameters different from European Standard Operating Procedure on Electrochemotherapy but with comparable electroporation yield (European Standard Operating Procedure on Electrochemotherapy-equivalent protocols). Moreover, the use of non-toxic drugs combined with electroporation represents the new frontier for electrochemotherapy applications; calcium electroporation has been recently proposed as a simple tool for anticancer therapy. In vitro investigations facilitate the optimization of electrical parameters and drugs for in vivo and clinical testing. In this optimization study, new pulsing protocols have been tested by increasing the pulse number and reducing the electric field with respect to the standard. European Standard Operating Procedure on Electrochemotherapy-equivalent protocols have been identified in HL-60 and A431 cancer cell models, and a higher sensitivity in terms of electroporation yield has been recorded in HL-60 cells. Moreover, cell killing efficacy of European Standard Operating Procedure on Electrochemotherapy-equivalent protocols has been demonstrated in the presence of increasing calcium concentrations on both cell lines. Equivalent European Standard Operating Procedure on Electrochemotherapy protocols can be used to optimize the therapeutic effects in the clinic, where different regions of the same cancer tissue, with different electrical properties, might result in a differential electroporation yield of the standard protocol over the same tissue, or, eventually, in an override of the operational limits of the instrument. Moreover, using calcium can help overcome the drawbacks of standard drugs (side effects, high costs, difficult handling, preparation, and storage procedures). These results support the possibility of new treatment options in both standard electrochemotherapy and calcium electroporation, with clear advantages in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Romeo
- 1 National Research Council of Italy (CNR)-Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), Napoli, Italy
| | - Anna Sannino
- 1 National Research Council of Italy (CNR)-Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Scarfì
- 1 National Research Council of Italy (CNR)-Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), Napoli, Italy
| | - P Thomas Vernier
- 2 Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | | | - Julie Gehl
- 4 Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer, Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.,5 Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Olga Zeni
- 1 National Research Council of Italy (CNR)-Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), Napoli, Italy
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9
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Golberg A, Rubinsky B. Towards electroporation based treatment planning considering electric field induced muscle contractions. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2015; 11:189-201. [PMID: 22335414 DOI: 10.7785/tcrt.2012.500249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The electric field threshold for muscle contraction is two orders of magnitudes lower than that for electroporation. Current electroporation treatment planning and electrode design studies focus on optimizing the delivery of electroporation electric fields to the targeted tissue. The goal of one part of this study was to investigate the relation between the volumes of tissue that experience electroporation electric fields in a targeted tissue volume and the volumes of tissue that experience muscle contraction inducing electric fields around the electroporated tissue volume, (V(MC)), during standard electroporation procedures and for various electroporation electrodes designs. The numerical analysis shows that conventional electroporation protocols and electrode design can generate muscle contraction inducing electric fields in surprisingly large volumes of non-target tissue, around the electroporation treated tissue. In studying various electrode configurations, we found that electrode placement in a structure we refer to as a "Current Cage" can substantially reduce the volume of non-target tissue exposed to electric fields above the muscle contraction threshold. In an experimental study on a tissue phantom we compare a commercial two parallel needle electroporation system with the Current Cage design. While tissue electroporated volumes were similar, V(MC) of tissue treated using the Current Cage design electrodes was an order of magnitude smaller than that using a commercially available system. An important aspect of the entire study is that it suggests the benefit of including the calculations of V(MC) for planning of electroporation based treatments such as DNA vaccination, electrochemotherapy and irreversible electroporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Golberg
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Etcheverry Hall, 6124, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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10
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Ongaro A, Campana LG, De Mattei M, Dughiero F, Forzan M, Pellati A, Rossi CR, Sieni E. Evaluation of the Electroporation Efficiency of a Grid Electrode for Electrochemotherapy: From Numerical Model to In Vitro Tests. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2015; 15:296-307. [PMID: 25911645 DOI: 10.1177/1533034615582350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a local anticancer treatment based on the combination of chemotherapy and short, tumor-permeabilizing, voltage pulses delivered using needle electrodes or plate electrodes. The application of ECT to large skin surface tumors is time consuming due to technical limitations of currently available voltage applicators. The availability of large pulse applicators with few and more spaced needle electrodes could be useful in the clinic, since they could allow managing large and spread tumors while limiting the duration and the invasiveness of the procedure. In this article, a grid electrode with 2-cm spaced needles has been studied by means of numerical models. The electroporation efficiency has been assessed on human osteosarcoma cell line MG63 cultured in monolayer. The computational results show the distribution of the electric field in a model of the treated tissue. These results are helpful to evaluate the effect of the needle distance on the electric field distribution. Furthermore, the in vitro tests showed that the grid electrode proposed is suitable to electropore, by a single application, a cell culture covering an area of 55 cm(2). In conclusion, our data might represent substantial improvement in ECT in order to achieve a more homogeneous and time-saving treatment, with benefits for patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ongaro
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - L G Campana
- Sarcoma and Melanoma Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - M De Mattei
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - F Dughiero
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - M Forzan
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - A Pellati
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - C R Rossi
- Sarcoma and Melanoma Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - E Sieni
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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11
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Cadossi R, Ronchetti M, Cadossi M. Locally enhanced chemotherapy by electroporation: clinical experiences and perspective of use of electrochemotherapy. Future Oncol 2014; 10:877-90. [PMID: 24799067 DOI: 10.2217/fon.13.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroporation is used to enhance drug diffusion and gene delivery into the cytosol. The combination of electroporation and cytotoxic drugs, electrochemotherapy (ECT), is used to treat metastatic tumor nodules located at the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The objective response rate following a single session of treatment exceeds 80%, with minimal toxicity for the patients. The efficacy of ECT in the bone and visceral metastasis is currently investigated, and Phase II studies have been completed. ECT has been used to treat skin primary tumors, except melanoma, and is under investigation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Early evidence suggests that treatment of tumor nodules with ECT recruits components of the immune system and eliciting a systemic immune response against cancer is a challenging clinical perspective. Considering the proven safety in several different clinical applications electroporation should be viewed as a clinical platform technology with wide perspectives for use in ECT, gene therapy and DNA vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruggero Cadossi
- Clinical Research, IGEA SpA, Via Parmenide 10/A, Carpi, Italy
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