Endoscopy 2016; 48(05): 477-483
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-101343
Innovations and brief communications

Preclinical evaluation of an endoscopic electroporation system

Patrick F. Forde
1   Cork Cancer Research Centre, Leslie C. Quick Laboratory, BioSciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
,
Mira Sadadcharam
1   Cork Cancer Research Centre, Leslie C. Quick Laboratory, BioSciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
,
Michael G. Bourke
1   Cork Cancer Research Centre, Leslie C. Quick Laboratory, BioSciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
,
Thomas A. Conway
2   Gilabbey Veterinary Hospital, Togher, Cork, Ireland
,
Shane R. Guerin
2   Gilabbey Veterinary Hospital, Togher, Cork, Ireland
,
Marcel de Kruijf
1   Cork Cancer Research Centre, Leslie C. Quick Laboratory, BioSciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
,
Gerald C. O’Sullivan
1   Cork Cancer Research Centre, Leslie C. Quick Laboratory, BioSciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
,
Joseph Impellizeri
3   Veterinary Oncology Services, PLLC, New York, United States
,
Anthony J. P. Clover
4   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
,
Declan M. Soden
1   Cork Cancer Research Centre, Leslie C. Quick Laboratory, BioSciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
› Author Affiliations
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Background and study aims: Targeted delivery of specific chemotherapeutic drugs into tumors can be achieved by delivering electrical pulses directly to the tumor tissue. This causes a transient formation of pores in the cell membrane that enables passive diffusion of normally impermeant drugs. A novel device has been developed to enable the endoscopic delivery of this tumor permeabilizing treatment. The aim of the preclinical studies described here was to investigate the efficacy and safety of this nonthermal ablation system in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer models.

Methods: Murine, porcine, and canine gastrointestinal tumors and tissues were used to assess the efficacy and safety of electroporation delivered through the special device in combination with bleomycin. Tumor cell death, volume, and overall survival were recorded.

Results: Murine tumors treated with electrochemotherapy showed excellent responses, with cell death being induced rapidly, mainly via an apoptotic-type mechanism. Use of the system in canine gastrointestinal cancers demonstrated successful local endoluminal tumor resolution, with no safety or adverse effects noted.

Conclusions: Electroporation via the new device in combination with bleomycin offers a nonthermal tumor ablative approach, and presents clinicians with a new option for the management of gastrointestinal cancers.



Publication History

Received: 24 July 2014

Accepted: 01 December 2015

Article published online:
04 April 2016

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