Our faculty is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and improving patient care. Current research interests include irreversible electroporation (IRE) of pancreatic tumors and vaccination of surgical oncology patients.

IRE

In 2009, the Division performed a history-making pancreatic procedure called irreversible electroporation (IRE), a new minimally invasive surgical technique that selectively kills tumor cells by using electrical fields to make holes in cell membranes.

Our utilization of IRE technology to treat patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer constitutes the first use of IRE tumor ablation to treat the typically fast-growing and fatal cancer that occurs in the pancreas. The combination of minimally invasive surgery and IRE allows for faster recovery with less tissue injury and, it is hoped, a better long-term outcome. At a minimum, patient quality of life should improve in the near term.

IRE technology allows for extreme precision. While targeted soft-tissue cells are killed, blood vessels and other important structures in the area remain functional. The body is able to naturally rid itself of the dead cells. In regenerating organs, such as the liver, the dead cells are replaced with healthy cells.

IRE technology does not generate heat or cold, which potentially could damage normal adjacent tissues. This feature adds considerable value to it, together with its ability to selectively induce cell death on soft tissue. It is our intention to conduct clinical trials that demonstrate the effectiveness of this technology. At present, IRE is reserved for patients who do not have good standard treatment options.