Irreversible electroporation is a surgical ablation technique that enhances gene transfer Journal Article


Authors: Au, J. T.; Wong, J.; Mittra, A.; Carpenter, S.; Haddad, D.; Carson, J.; Jayaraman, S.; Monette, S.; Solomon, S. B.; Ezell, P.; Fong, Y.
Article Title: Irreversible electroporation is a surgical ablation technique that enhances gene transfer
Abstract: Background: Reversible electroporation has long been used to transfer macromolecules into target cells in the laboratory by using an electric field to induce transient membrane permeability. Recently, the electric field has been modulated to produce permanent membrane permeability and cell death. This novel technique, irreversible electroporation (IRE), is being developed for nonthermal cancer ablation. We hypothesize that outside the central zone of IRE exists a peripheral zone of reversible electroporation where gene transfer may occur. Methods: IRE of the liver was performed in a Yorkshire pig model with administration of a plasmid expressing the marker gene green fluorescent protein (GFP) by bolus or primed infusion through the hepatic artery or portal vein. After 6 hours, livers were harvested for fluorescent microscopy and histologic examination. Results: Of 36 liver specimens treated with IRE and the GFP plasmid, 31 demonstrated strong green fluorescence. Liver ablation by IRE was demarcated clearly on histology. Conclusion: IRE is a promising technique not only for operative tissue ablation but also for gene therapy. Because IRE ablation may leave behind intact tumor antigens, these findings encourage clinical studies of tumor ablation with delivery of immunostimulatory plasmids for combined local eradication and systemic immunotherapy. © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: histopathology; nonhuman; animal tissue; computer assisted tomography; green fluorescent protein; animal experiment; animal model; gene transfer; electroporation; fluorescence microscopy; portal vein; plasmid vector; hepatic artery; irreversible electroporation; animal wellbeing; experimental pig
Journal Title: Surgery
Volume: 150
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0039-6060
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2011-09-01
Start Page: 474
End Page: 479
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2011.07.007
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 21878233
PMCID: PMC3266825
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 3 October 2011" - "CODEN: SURGA" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Yuman Fong
    775 Fong
  2. Stephen Solomon
    427 Solomon
  3. Dana Haddad
    21 Haddad
  4. Sebastien Monette
    150 Monette
  5. Joyce Au
    12 Au
  6. Paula Cherie Ezell
    19 Ezell
  7. Joshua S Carson
    13 Carson
  8. Arjun Mittra
    8 Mittra
  9. Joyce Wong
    16 Wong