The application of point source electroporation and chemotherapy for the treatment of glioma: a randomized controlled rat study

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 7;10(1):2178. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59152-7.

Abstract

The prognosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme patients is poor despite aggressive therapy. Reasons include poor chemotherapy penetration across the blood-brain barrier and tumor infiltration into surrounding tissues. Here we studied the effects of combined point-source electroporation (EP) and systemic chemotherapy in glioma-bearing rats. 128 rats were studied. Treatment groups were administered systemic Cisplatin/Methotrexate before EP (either 90 or 180 pulses). Control groups were treated by EP, chemotherapy, or no treatment. Tumor volumes were determined by MRI. Tumors growth rates of the EP + Methotrexate group (1.02 ± 0.77) were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than the control (5.2 ± 1.0) 1-week post treatment. No significant difference was found compared to Methotrexate (1.7 ± 0.5). Objective response rates (ORR) were 40% and 57% for the Methotrexate and EP + Methotrexate groups respectively. Tumor growth rates and ORR of the EP + Cisplatin groups (90 pulses 0.98 ± 0.2, 57%, 180 pulses 1.2 ± 0.1, 33%) were significantly smaller than the control (6.4 ± 1.0, p < 0.01, p < 0.02, 0%) and Cisplatin (3.9 ± 1.0, p < 0.04, p < 0.05, 13%) groups. No significant differences were found between the control groups. Increased survival was found in the EP + Cisplatin group, Χ2 = 7.54, p < 0.006 (Log Rank). Point-source EP with systemic chemotherapy is a rapid, minimal-invasive treatment that was found to induce significant antineoplastic effects in a rat glioma model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / therapeutic use
  • Electroporation / instrumentation
  • Electroporation / methods*
  • Glioma / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cisplatin
  • Methotrexate