Preclinical studies on nanosecond pulses

Abstract

Nanosecond pulses have been used for over a decade to treat tumors in preclinical studies in mice and rats. The technology based on pulsed power refocuses cancer treatment from chemistry and drugs to physics and high-intensity, nonthermal electric fields (EFs) to tumors by administering pulses with durations in the nanosecond domain. This constitutes a high-power, low-energy impact that is unique and distinct from other physical medical technologies, such as radiofrequency ablation and ionizing radiation. Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) have successfully eliminated a variety of cancers in subcutaneous ectopic models or allographs, orthotopic models in liver, induced skin cancer models and human cancer xenographs in immunodeficient mice. Recent data suggest, but do not yet prove, that nsPEFs induce immune responses in addition to ablating primary tumors. This chapter will review what has been done with nsPEF technology in preclinical cancer models, how these studies have been conducted, what should be considered when establishing new cancer models, what precautions need to be taken with high EFs, what effects nsPEFs have on the skin and blood flow, and what is known about how nsPEFs cause tumor cells to die. Finally, what is known about the possible immune response induced by nsPEFs will be discussed. Overall, this chapter will present what is presently known about nanosecond pulses for the treatment of cancer in animal models.