Real-time monitoring of cytotoxic effects of electroporation on breast and colon cancer cell lines

To study the effects of electroporation on different cell lines. The effects of electroporation on human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), human colon cancer (SW-480 and HCT-116), human fibroblast cell line (MRC-5), primary human aortic smooth muscle cells (hAoSMC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were studied. Real-time technology was used for cell viability monitoring. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide assay was applied for cell death type determination. A numerical model of electroporation has been proposed. Electroporation induced inhibition of cell viability on dose (voltage) dependent way. The electroporation treatment 375–437.5Vcm−1 caused irreversible electroporation of cancer cells and reversible electroporation of healthy cells. The application of lower voltage rating (250Vcm−1) led to apoptosis as the predominant type of cell death, whereas the use of higher voltage (500Vcm−1) mainly caused necrosis. Electroporation represents a promising method in cancer treatment. Different cancer cell lines had different response to the identical electroporation treatment. Electroporation 375–437.5Vcm−1 selectively caused permanent damage of cancer cells (SW-480), while healthy cells (MRC-5, hAoSM and HUVEC) recovered after 72h. The type of cell death is dependent of electroporation conditions. The proposed numerical model is useful for the analysis of phenomena related to electroporation treatment. [Display omitted] •Electroporation is a promising modality in cancer treatment.•Cell lines have different responses to identical electroporation treatment.•RTCA technology is useful for cell viability monitoring after electroporation.•The type of cell death is dependent on electroporation conditions.•A numerical model is useful for investigating phenomena related to electroporation.