Effective proliferation control of MCF7 breast cancer using microsecond duration electrical pulse.

Background: Electro-permeablization using a pulse generator is a novel non-invasive approach for cancer therapy. It serves as a cell permeability enhancing agent for cancer treatment.

Objective: In this article in vitro investigation of the effect of 1.0 kV/cm, 1.5 kV/cm and 2.0 kV/cm, 50 µs duration pulsed electric field on MCF-7 cell line has been done. Furthermore, combinational therapy of curcumin and electrical pulses has been also investigated.

Material And Method: A variable voltage (100 V-1200 V, 100 V step) and 50 µs duration pulse generator has been designed, which is further used for the investigation of electroporation and destructive electrical field intensity. Investigation of the effect of electrical pulses on cancer cells has been performed using Trypan Blue Exclusion Test, MTT Assay and Clonogenic Assay.

Results: It has been observed that electrical field intensity of 2 kV/cm, 50 µsec duration, 10 pulses at repetition rate of 1 pulse per second corresponding to total energy of 4 J is more than enough for causing necrotic cell death due to permanent damage of cell membrane of the cancer cell. Also, it has been observed that electrical pulse application enhances curcumin uptake by cells.

Conclusion: Electrical pulses can effectively inhibit the cancer cell growth and proliferation. Furthermore, observation shows that electroporation enhances the curcumin uptake, therefore, it can be used for therapeutic purposes.