Electrochemical treatment of tumours using a one-probe two-electrode device (OPTED)

MAGLIETTI FELIPE; OLAIZ NAHUEL; SUÁREZ CECILIA; MOLINA FERNANDO; MIKLAVCIC DAMIJAN; MIR LUIS; MARSHALL GUILLERMO

Ljubljana, Eslovenia

Workshop; International Workshop in Electroporation Based Technologies and Treatments (EBTT); 2009

University of Ljubljana and Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana

The electrochemical treatment of tumours (EChT) consists in the passageof a direct electric current through two or more electrodes inserted locally inthe tumour tissue. Electrochemical reactions induce extreme pH changes and,consequently, tumour destruction mainly by necrosis. In the classical EChTexperiment, from an initial uniform condition two pH fronts evolve expandingtowards each other. Here we introduce a one-probe two-electrodes device(OPTED) containing the cathode and the anode very close to each other (1mm). Upon application of the OPTED, two half-spherical pH fronts, one basicthe other acid (from cathode and anode, respectively), expand towards theperiphery conforming a full sphere. pH front tracking reveals a time scalingclose to t1/2, signature of a diusion-controlled process. Based on this evidenceit is possible, in principle, to predict the necessary time needed for total tumourdestruction without much compromise of healthy tissue. Advantages ofthe OPTED over traditional electrode setup are the insertion of one applicatorrather than two or more (thus minimizing tissue intrusion), the possibility ofreaching tumours beyond capabilities of conventional surgery (f.i. in the samemanner of entry as a biopsy or an endoscopy), and the minimization of electriccurrent circulation through the treated organ. The OPTED could be veryuseful specially in small tumours difficult to reach by conventional techniques,or located in places where collateral damages in healthy tissue must be minimized (in the nervous system, for instance). We hope this new design couldhave signicant implications in EChT optimal operative conditions, in particular,in the way in which the evolving pH spherical fronts can cover and destroya cancer cell spherical casket. Moreover, they may have potential advantages inthe application of electrochemotherapy.