Ablation of neoplasia by direct current

Tv Taylor,S Holt,Br Pullan,P Engler

doi:10.1038/bjc.1994.304

Abstract

The application of low-voltage direct electrical current (DEC) has been studied in animals and humans for the ablation of anal condylomata, oesophageal cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma. Twenty milliamps of DEC passed through multiple 6 cm x 1 cm, flat-plate longitudinal electrodes into the squamous mucosa of the oesophagus of healthy dogs for periods ranging from 10 min to 2 h resulted in denudation and necrosis of the oesophageal mucosa at the site of application of the current. In humans, the application of DEC to two patients with benign anal condyloma acuminata, three patients with inoperable obstructing oesophageal cancer and one patient with disseminated Kaposi sarcoma resulted in striking necrosis of tumour tissue that was confirmed by macroscopic and microscopic studies. These initial findings imply promising therapeutic potential for the use of DEC as a simple, effective, safe, low-cost alternative for ablation of neoplasia.

Highlights

Ablation of neoplasia by direct current'Baylor CoUege of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; and 2Seton Hall, New Jersey, USA; 3Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK
S_y The appctio of low-voltage direct edtrical current (DEC) has b studied in anima and humans for the abltio of anal condylomata, oesophag cance and Kapoi's sarca
Some studies have suggested that the application of direct electrical current (DEC) to a tumour results in damage to tumour tissue (Nordenstrom, 1978, 1985; Habal, 1980; Yokoyama et al, 1989; Azavedo et al, 1991)

Summary

Ablation of neoplasia by direct current

'Baylor CoUege of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; and 2Seton Hall, New Jersey, USA; 3Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK. The a tion of DEC to two patients with benigin anal yloma na, three patnts wi eab osuctig eal cancer and one patient with dinated Kaposi sarcoma resled m iking oss of tumour t that was confirmed by mac mitial and microco studi These imply thapeutic potential for the use of DEC as a simpe, effective, safe, low-cost alernative for ablati of neop;Lsa. A variety of methods have been used to induce direct tissue injury, including thermal techniques, laser ablation and induction of tissue necrosis with photosenstising dyes, radiotherapy and injection of ablative chemicals such as concentrated alcohol. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the application of small amounts of direct current at low voltage (approximately 7 V) on normal animal and human benign condylomata and malignant oesophageal cancer tissue, thereby potentially developing a new method for the treatment of cancer

Aninal studies

Human studies

Animal studies

Hwnan studies

Oesophageal carcinomata