Equipping Ayatollah Yasrebi Superspecialized Hospital with IRE Device
The first specialized seminar and brainstorming session focusing on the application of the advanced irreversible electroporation device in cancer treatment was held at Yasrebi Superspecialized Hospital (Kashan, Iran) with the presence of the Pars Terava team. The stated goals of holding this session were to enhance specialized knowledge, familiarize attendees with novel cancer treatment methods, and create a suitable platform for scientific and clinical interactions in this field.
.
This device, which operates based on Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) technology, represents a new generation of minimally invasive treatments. Its mechanism of action relies on creating a precise and controlled electric field, established by placing thin needles (electrodes) around the tumor. This electric field generates short but very strong pulses that lead to the formation of tiny, permanent pores or “nanopores” in the membranes of the cancer cells. This structural damage triggers the natural process of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the cancer cells, causing them to die and then gradually and naturally be cleared away by the body’s immune system.
.
The crucial point is that this mechanism, unlike heat-based methods (such as radio waves or laser) or radiation therapy, performs cellular destruction without burning or charring the tissue. This very characteristic makes it ideal for targeting tumors located adjacent to vital and sensitive structures such as major blood vessels, nerves, bile ducts, or the intestines, as the risk of thermal damage to these healthy tissues is minimized.
.
From a clinical application perspective, Irreversible Electroporation has garnered particular attention in treating tumors of the pancreas and prostate. Pancreatic cancer, due to its complex anatomical position and proximity to vital vessels and ducts, is often deemed “inoperable.” IRE, with its selective destruction capability, has opened a new window of hope for this group of patients. In prostate cancer, this technology is used in the form of “focal therapy,” meaning only the tumor-involved area within the prostate gland is targeted, and the remaining healthy tissue is preserved.
.
This targeted approach, compared to whole-gland treatments (such as radical surgery or extensive radiation therapy), significantly reduces the likelihood of significant side effects like urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunction. However, it is also important to note that according to some reports, this method is not considered a definitive and independent standalone treatment, and physicians may consider combining it with other methods such as chemotherapy to achieve the best outcome, especially in the case of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, this method is generally more suitable for smaller tumors (typically less than 5 cm) that are localized and have not spread to other organs.
.
.
The design and manufacturing of electrochemotherapy and electroporation devices have been carried out by Ms. Dr. Zeynab Shankayi, a faculty member in Medical Physics and the Director of the Radiation Sciences Research Center at Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, and the CEO of Pars Terava Company.
.
This meeting was held with the presence of a group of specialists and researchers, including:
- Zahra Jafari Ardakan, PhD student in Physiology at Tehran University and researcher at the Radiation Research Center of Baqiyatallah Hospital
- Dr. Mostafa Sarvizadeh, Radiation Oncology specialist
- Dr. Seyedeh Nasibe Tabatabaei, Radiation Oncology specialist
- Dr. Hamidreza Banafsheh, Deputy of Food and Drug
- Dr. Majid Najjati, PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology and faculty member of Kashan University of Medical Sciences
- Dr. Hejazi, PhD in Electrical Engineering and faculty member of Kashan University
- Dr. Mohammad Eidi, Fellowship in Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery
- Dr. Sara Emami, General Surgery specialist, Fellowship in Aesthetic and Breast Cancer Surgery
.
It should be noted that this treatment has been implemented for the first time on patients with pancreatic cancer at Baqiyatallah University.
Yasrebi Superspecialized Hospital, by equipping itself with this advanced technology, has made it possible to treat tumors previously considered inoperable and has taken an effective step in creating therapeutic hope for these patients. This event is not merely a brainstorming session but rather an indication of the birth of an innovation ecosystem in the health sector that can open new therapeutic horizons for patients with difficult-to-treat conditions in Iran.
.
