Irreversible Electroporation in Eradication of Rabbit VX2 Liver Tumor

To show the effectiveness and safety of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in treating large tumor models.VX2 liver tumor implantation was performed in 35 New Zealand White Rabbits. The rabbits were divided into three groups 1 week after implantation. The control group included 15 rabbits; the remaining 20 rabbits were divided into two IRE treatment groups. For the treatment groups, 10 rabbits underwent ablation with a single IRE application (IRE-S group), and 10 rabbits underwent ablation with multiple IRE applications (IRE-M group). Treatments and outcomes were analyzed using ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and immunohistologic staining (hematoxylin and eosin [HE], P-53, Ki-67, CD30, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR] staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate [dUTP]-biotin nick-end labeling [TUNEL] assay).Multiple IRE ablations consistently produced complete cell death in all the animals in the IRE-M group (n = 10, IRE ablation time 2.45 minutes ± 0.3). The results were validated with ultrasound, CT, HE, Ki-67, P53, and TUNEL assay. A high level of CD30-positive cells were identified in the IRE groups. A sharply demarcated ablation zone with no damage to surrounding vital structures was observed in all IRE-treated tissues. No complications during or after ablation were observed in any of the animals.The effects of IRE were shown in a large tumor model with single and multiple IRE ablations (IRE-S and IRE-M treatment groups); complete ablation of the tumor was seen in the IRE-M group. These findings successfully show the beneficial effects and safety of IRE in the treatment of tumors and validate its potential as a clinically translatable treatment.