In vivo experimental study of nanosecond pulsed electric field effects on solid tumors

Many studies have tested the application of pulsed electric fields to tumors during cancer therapy. In this study, we used an embryonic chick assay to test the effects of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) on a solid tumor. Our experiments used the embryonic chick assay, which is classified as in vivo experiment, because it has several advantages. Mouse breast adenocarcinoma cell line EMT6/KU was used to produce tumor cells for the experiment. The cells were inoculated for several days before the test and nsPEFs were applied using needle electrodes to solid tumors formed on the chorioallantoic membrane of eggs. A pulsed power generator with a pulse output length of 1.5 ns was used in this experiment. The tumors were dissected from the eggs after several days of nsPEF application and weighed. The mean weight of tumors treated with pulses was less than that of the control. The difference between the weight of the tumor after nsPEF application and that of the control was significant. The difference increased with the charging voltage of the pulsed power generator, with significant different observed when the charging voltage of the pulsed power generator was >2.85 kV. The mean tumor weight of the group that experienced discharges infrequently occurred on or under CAM was significantly smaller than that of the group that did not experience.