Optimizing electrolytic ablation therapy: Effects of electrode polarization modes through in silico and in vitro studies

Abstract

Electrolytic ablation is an emerging cancer therapy that induces tumor necrosis by applying direct electrical current through electrodes inserted locally into the tissue. The extreme cathodic and anodic pH fronts induced by the electrolytic ablation are the main cause of tumor necrosis. This study investigates how different electrode polarization modes influence the distribution of extreme pH areas, ionic species concentrations, tissue permeabilization, and overall efficacy of Electrolytic ablation therapy. Using in silico modeling, which solves the Nernst-Planck equations, and in vitro experiments on potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) as a biological surrogate, two electrode configurations are analyzed: Configuration Ia (one anode and four cathodes) and Configuration Ib (four anodes and one cathode).The results demonstrate that Configuration Ib produces broader extreme pH areas, larger tissue damage zones, and greater permeabilization compared to Configuration Ia. This behavior is attributed to the enhanced migration and diffusion of H+ ions under the Configuration Ib polarization strategy.These findings underscore the importance of selecting the electrode polarization mode in optimizing Electrolytic ablation therapy parameters. The broader ablation areas and higher efficacy observed with Configuration Ib suggest its potential to improve tumor treatment outcomes, particularly when combined with electroporation-based therapies.