Preclinical Study of Locoregional Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Bioelectric Ablation with Microsecond Pulsed Electric Fields (μsPEFs)

Sci Rep. 2015 Apr 30:5:9851. doi: 10.1038/srep09851.

Abstract

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) needs locoregional ablation as a curative or downstage therapy. Microsecond Pulsed Electric Fields (μsPEFs) is an option. A xenograft tumor model was set up on 48 nude mice by injecting human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells subcutaneously. The tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: μsPEFs treated, sham and control group. μsPEFs group was treated by μsPEFs twice in 5 days. Tumor volume, survival, pathology, mitochondria function and cytokines were followed up. μsPEFs was also conducted on 3 swine to determine impact on organ functions. The tumors treated by μsPEFs were completely eradicated while tumors in control and sham groups grew up to 2 cm(3) in 3 weeks. The μsPEFs-treated group indicated mitochondrial damage and tumor necrosis as shown in JC-1 test, flow cytometry, H&E staining and TEM. μsPEFs activates CD56+ and CD68+ cells and inhibits tumor proliferating cell nuclear antigen. μsPEFs inhibits HCC growth in the nude mice by causing mitochondria damage, tumor necrosis and non-specific inflammation. μsPEFs treats porcine livers without damaging vital organs. μsPEFs is a feasible minimally invasive locoregional ablation option.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / therapy*
  • Catheter Ablation / methods
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Necrosis / metabolism
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / metabolism
  • Tumor Burden / physiology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods

Substances

  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen