Enhancing pancreatic cancer ablation efficiency: bipolar IRE with conductive MOF

Abstract

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) has emerged as a promising therapeutic modality for pancreatic cancer. However, traditional IRE techniques rely on high-voltage electric fields and require precise alignment of multiple electrodes, which complicates the procedure and increases associated risks. To address these challenges, we developed a novel “bipolar” IRE electrode that combines both the cathode and anode into a single device, simplifying the procedure and potentially reducing operational risks. Additionally, we incorporated a conductive metal–organic framework (MOF) to enhance the electric field distribution of the electric field, thereby improving the efficacy of tumor ablation. Mechanistic studies revealed that this combined approach induces tumor cell apoptosis and improves the consistency of ablation outcomes. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the bipolar electrode, in combination with the conductive MOF, achieved a significant apoptosis rate of 59.95% ± 2.41 in vitro and resulted in an 85.77% ± 0.21 reduction in tumor volume in in vivo models, without any adverse effects. This approach provides a more optimized and potentially more effective solution for treating pancreatic cancer.