High-frequency irreversible electroporation targets resilient tumor-initiating cells in ovarian cancer

Integr Biol (Camb). 2017 Dec 11;9(12):979-987. doi: 10.1039/c7ib00116a.

Abstract

We explored the use of irreversible electroporation (IRE) and high-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) to induce cell death of tumor-initiating cells using a mouse ovarian surface epithelial (MOSE) cancer model. Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) can be successfully destroyed using pulsed electric field parameters common to irreversible electroporation protocols. Additionally, high-frequency pulses seem to induce cell death of TICs at significantly lower electric fields suggesting H-FIRE can be used to selectively target TICs and malignant late-stage cells while sparing the non-malignant cells in the surrounding tissue. We evaluate the relationship between threshold for cell death from H-FIRE pulses and the capacitance of cells as well as other properties that may play a role on the differences in the response to conventional IRE versus H-FIRE treatment protocols.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
  • Cell Death
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Size
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Electrodes
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electroporation*
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / therapy*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Collagen Type I