What is the primary form of injury caused by Irreversible Electroporation (IRE)?

Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) primarily causes cell injury through cell membrane breakdown. This technique involves the application of short, high-voltage electrical pulses that create temporary pores in the cell membrane. When these pores do not reseal, it leads to a disruption of the cellular integrity.

As the cell membrane is compromised, essential cellular components, ions, and macromolecules are lost, and the cell is unable to maintain homeostasis. This breakdown results in cell death, making it an effective method for ablation of tissues, particularly in cancer treatment. The selectivity of IRE allows for damage to cancerous cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, attributed to this primary mechanism of action focused on the cell membrane.

Thermal damage typically arises from prolonged heating, while mechanical disruption relates to physical forces applied to the cells. Oxidative stress involves the production of reactive oxygen species that can damage cellular components, but this is not the primary mechanism for IRE; rather, it is a consequence related to some other forms of energy delivery.