Irreversible electroporation for the management of pancreatic cancer: Current data and future directions

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is currently the seventh leading cause of cancer death (4.5% of all cancer deaths) while 80%-90% of the patients suffer from unresectable disease at the time of diagnosis. Prognosis remains poor, with a mean survival up to 15 mo following systemic chemotherapy. Loco-regional thermal ablative techniques are rarely implemented due to the increased risk of thermal injury to the adjacent structures, which can lead to severe adverse events. Irreversible electroporation, a promising novel non-thermal ablative modality, has been recently introduced in clinical practice for the management of inoperable pancreatic cancer as a safer and more effective loco-regional treatment option. Experimental and initial clinical data are optimistic. This review will focus on the basic principles of IRE technology, currently available data, and future directions.

Editor-in-Chief articles of choice and comments at the year-end of 2023

“…WJG v29i2: The articles in this issue are particularly interesting. Among them, the following three papers stand out: (1) Small intestine topic: “Current opinion on the regulation of small intestinal magnesium absorption”[ 4 ]; (2) Pancreatic cancer topic: “Irreversible electroporation for the management of pancreatic cancer: Current data and future directions”[ 5 ]; and (3) Liver cirrhosis topic (Letter to the Editor): “Celiac disease screening in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis”[ 6 ]. For the third, the reviewers (IDs: 05261106 and 06195974) did an exemplary job in assisting the authors to improve and enhance the article[ 6 ].…”