Change in tissue resistance after irreversible electroporation in liver tumors as an indicator of treatment success - A multi-center analysis with long term follow-up

Abstract

Abstract We examined the correlation between decrease in tissue resistance and time to local tumor recurrence after irreversible electroporation (IRE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM). This population-based retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients treated with IRE for liver tumors in Sweden betweem 2011 and 2018. In total 149 patients with 206 tumors were treated. Exclusion due to missing and inaccurate data resulted in 124 patients with 170 tumors for the analyses. In a multivariable Cox regression model, a smaller decrease in tissue resistance (HR 1.02 (1.01-1.03), p=0.002) and tumors of size 21-30 mm (HR 2.48, 95% CI 1.26-4.88, p=0.009) and >30mm (HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.17-5.71, p= 0.019) were associated with shorter time to local tumor recurrence for CRCLM. This correlation was not seen for HCC. We found an association between a decrease in tissue resistance and time to local tumor recurrence for CRCLM. Our findings suggest that a decrease in tissue resistance, instead of rise in current, may be the parameter the interventionist should use during IRE to decide if the treatment is successful.