Document Type : Original Paper
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, Medical Physics Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2
Professor, Medical Physics Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3
M.Sc. in Medical Physics, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
4
M.Sc. in Medical Engineering, Medical Physics Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5
Associate Professor, Pathology Dept., Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
6
Assistant Professor, Community Medicine & Public Health Dept., Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
7
Assistant Professor, Cancer Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute; Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: As a physical treatment, electrochemical therapy (ECHT) has provided an effective and useful
approach for treating localized tumors. The chemical changes due to a direct electric current destroy the
tumor. This study evaluates the effect of electrical dose and polarity on the efficacy of the treatment of a
colon tumor model.
Materials and Methods: In order to induce tumors, 5 × 10 5 CT26 cells were injected into the right dorsal
side of 100 Balb/c mice subcutaneously. When the mean volume of the tumors reached 350 ± 50 mm 3 , they
were randomly divided into 2 control and 8 test groups, each consisting of 10 mice. Six platinum electrodes
(3 cathodes and 3 anodes) were inserted into the base and the apex of each tumor. Electrical doses of 0, 10,
20, 30 or 40 C/cm 3 were then applied. Tumors volumes were subsequently measured daily and the mortalities
were recorded. A histopatholological study was also performed.
Results: After ECHT, a decrease in tumor volume and also an increase in necrosis and cumulative survival
were statistically significant. In the control groups, the tumors were not destroyed and the mice did not
survive more than 50 days. With 40 C/cm 3 electrical dosage and anode electrode polarity applied to bases of
the tumors, 80% of the tumors showed complete response until 120 days post-treatment. Increasing the
electrical dose caused a statistically significant effect on the complete response percentage and the
cumulative survival fraction. Applying anode polarity to the bases of the tumors produced better results
although without statistical significance.
Discussions and Conclusions: Complete response in the treatment groups (10 to 80 percent) demonstrates
the antitumor effects and the high potential of electrolysis for tumors eradication. Also, occurrence of only
one death event in the highest electrical dose group and the good health of the animals until 120 days after
treatment demonstrate that electrolysis is a safe technique.
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