Effect of nanosecond pulsed electric fields in combination with everolimus on melanoma.

e20102 Background: Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) is a bioelectrical technology generated high voltage electric field in nanosecond duration to destroy tumor cells with non-thermal effect. It is a potential technique for cancer therapy. PI3K/mTOR/AKT pathway is activated in most melanomas, but single agent activity of mTOR inhibitors is limited in advanced melanomas. The aim of the study is to evaluate the anti-growth efficacy of nsPEF in combination with everolimus in melanoma. Methods: Human A375 melanoma cells were exposed to everolimus for 48 hours, followed by 25 pulses of nsPEF with 100 ns duration at the electric field strength of 15 and 20 kV/cm. Cell viability was measured by CellTilter-Glo luminescent cell viability assay 24 hours later. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. BALB/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously with A375 cells, and randomly divided into four groups: group I as control, group II treated with nsPEF in a single treatment (30 kV/cm, 100 ns, 1...