Method and device for treating microscopic tumors remaining in tissues following surgical resection

Abstract

This invention concerns treating apparently normal tissue surrounding sites of cancerous tumors so as to reduce both the probability of a recurrence of cancer at and near the site of a cancerous tissue, and to reduce the amount of apparently healthy tissue that is usually excised along with the tumor, thereby providing a substantial benefit to the cancer patient by eliminating or delaying tumor recurrence and sparing normal tissue for its functionality and for avoiding unnecessary disfigurement.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of treating microscopic residual tumors remaining in a tissue following surgical resection of a tumor mass, the method comprising:
 (a) excising tumor mass from tissue containing the tumor;   (b) providing a source for applying an electroporative electric pulse to said tissue previously adjacent to and about said tumor mass;   (c) providing an agent capable of reducing tumor growth;   (d) administering said agent to said tissue of step (b); and   (e) applying the electroporative electric pulse by said source to said tissue, thereby delivering said agent into said cells, where at least one electroporative electric pulse provides treatment of said tissue of step (b) to kill residual tumors.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of Bleomycin, cisplatin, a polypeptide, an antibody, RNAi, an antisense nucleic acid, an expressible gene encoding a therapeutically active polypeptide, a chemokine, and a cytokine. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said agent is delivered into said mammalian tissue either intravenously or injected directly into said tissue previously adjacent to and about said tumor mass. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said RNAi, anti sense nucleic acid, and expressible gene are formulated in poly-L-glutamate solution. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said tumor is selected from the group consisting of a cancer cell in cutaneous tissue, a cancer cell located on the head or neck of a mammal, and a melanoma cell. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said electroporative electric pulse comprises a pulse having a nominal field strength selected from the group consisting of 1500 V/cm, 1200 V/cm, between 800 and 1500 V/cm, between 200 and 800 V/cm.