Preclinical Study of Locoregional Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Bioelectric Ablation with Microsecond Pulsed Electric Fields (μsPEFs)

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) needs locoregional ablation as a curative or downstage therapy. Microsecond Pulsed Electric Fields (mu sPEFs) is an option. A xenograft tumor model was set up on 48 nude mice by injecting human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells subcutaneously. The tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: msPEFs treated, sham and control group. msPEFs group was treated by msPEFs twice in 5 days. Tumor volume, survival, pathology, mitochondria function and cytokines were followed up. msPEFs was also conducted on 3 swine to determine impact on organ functions. The tumors treated by msPEFs were completely eradicated while tumors in control and sham groups grew up to 2 cm(3) in 3 weeks. The msPEFs-treated group indicated mitochondrial damage and tumor necrosis as shown in JC-1 test, flow cytometry, H&E staining and TEM. mu sPEFs activates CD56+ and CD68+ cells and inhibits tumor proliferating cell nuclear antigen. msPEFs inhibits HCC growth in the nude mice by causing mitochondria damage, tumor necrosis and non-specific inflammation. msPEFs treats porcine livers without damaging vital organs. msPEFs is a feasible minimally invasive locoregional ablation option.