calcium electroporation

Calcium electroporation is a novel anti-cancer treatment that combines electroporation with high calcium concentrations. The method uses short, high voltage pulses to transiently permeabilize cell membranes, allowing supraphysiological concentrations of calcium to enter cells. This influx of calcium causes acute and severe ATP depletion, leading to cancer cell death. Calcium is a tightly regulated, ubiquitous second messenger involved in many cellular processes including cell death. Studies have shown that normal cells are less affected by calcium electroporation than cancer cells, which might be partly due to differences in membrane repair, expression of calcium transporters, and cellular structural changes. The treatment has been tested in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical trials for various cancers including cutaneous metastases and recurrent head and neck cancer.