Tumor cell under attack by heat and electricity.

Beating Cancer with a One-Two Punch: How Combining Ablation Therapies Could Change Everything

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 5 min read.

"New research explores the synergistic power of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) to enhance tumor destruction."

For decades, the fight against cancer has been defined by a relentless search for more effective and less invasive treatments. Among the arsenal of tools available to oncologists, ablation therapies have emerged as promising options for targeting and destroying tumors. Now, groundbreaking research suggests that combining two of these therapies – radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) – could deliver a powerful one-two punch against cancer cells.

Both RFA and IRE are image-guided techniques, meaning doctors use imaging technology to precisely target tumors. RFA uses heat generated by high-frequency alternating current to kill cancer cells, while IRE employs high-voltage electrical pulses to create pores in cell membranes, leading to cell death. While both methods have shown success in treating various tumors, limitations exist, particularly when dealing with large tumors or those located near major blood vessels.

But what if these two therapies could work together, each overcoming the limitations of the other? That's the question researchers at Shanghai University and the University of Saskatchewan sought to answer. Their in vitro study, using a 3D cervical cancer cell model, has revealed the potential for significant tumor ablation enhancement when RFA and IRE are strategically combined.

The Science Behind the Synergy

Tumor cell under attack by heat and electricity.

The study explored different sequences of applying RFA and IRE to the 3D tumor model. Researchers tested three RFA temperatures (43, 50, and 60 °C) and three IRE voltage settings (350, 700, and 1050 V/cm). The results were striking: both RFA enhanced IRE and IRE enhanced RFA, leading to significantly larger ablation zones compared to using either therapy alone. Think of it like this: RFA can weaken the tumor cells, making them more susceptible to IRE, or vice versa. This synergistic effect could be a game-changer in cancer treatment.

One of the key findings was that the sequence in which the therapies were applied mattered. The electrical conductivity of the tumor increased after initial treatment with either RFA or IRE. This increase in conductivity may explain why combining the treatments is so effective. When RFA is performed first, it can increase the permeability of tumor cell membranes, making them more vulnerable to the subsequent IRE pulses. Alternatively, IRE can create nano-scale pores in the cell membranes, facilitating heat conduction during RFA.

Enhanced Ablation Zone: Combining RFA and IRE leads to a significantly larger area of tumor destruction.
Sequence Matters: The order in which RFA and IRE are applied affects the overall effectiveness.
Increased Conductivity: Preliminary RFA or IRE treatment increases the electrical conductivity of the tumor.
Repeat Injury: The transitional zone, initially injured by one treatment, is further compromised by the second.

The research team suggests two possible explanations for this enhanced ablation. First, the increased electrical conductivity of the tumor after the initial treatment allows for greater energy deposition during the subsequent therapy. Second, the transitional zone – the area surrounding the main tumor – may sustain repeated injury from both treatments, preventing cancer cells from recovering.

A Promising Future for Cancer Treatment

These findings offer a promising avenue for improving cancer treatment, especially for large tumors or those located near major blood vessels. While this study was conducted in vitro, the results warrant further investigation in in vivo models and, eventually, clinical trials. Combining RFA and IRE could potentially overcome the limitations of each individual therapy, leading to more complete and effective tumor ablation. The key will be optimizing the treatment protocols and identifying the ideal candidates for this combined approach. This research provides a crucial step forward in the ongoing quest to conquer cancer and improve the lives of patients.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s10439-018-02185-x, Alternate LINK

Title: Tumor Ablation Enhancement By Combining Radiofrequency Ablation And Irreversible Electroporation: An In Vitro 3D Tumor Study

Subject: Biomedical Engineering

Journal: Annals of Biomedical Engineering

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Bing Zhang, Yongji Yang, Lujia Ding, Michael A. J. Moser, Edwin M. Zhang, Wenjun Zhang

Published: 2018-12-18

Everything You Need To Know

What are radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE), and how are they individually used in cancer treatment?

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat, generated by high-frequency alternating current, to kill cancer cells. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) employs high-voltage electrical pulses to create pores in cell membranes, leading to cell death. Both are image-guided techniques used to precisely target tumors. However, both methods have limitations when dealing with large tumors or those near major blood vessels. Combining these therapies may overcome these limitations.

How does the combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) enhance tumor destruction according to the study findings?

The study revealed that both RFA enhanced IRE and IRE enhanced RFA, leading to significantly larger ablation zones compared to using either therapy alone. The increased electrical conductivity of the tumor after the initial treatment allows for greater energy deposition during the subsequent therapy. Also, the transitional zone – the area surrounding the main tumor – may sustain repeated injury from both treatments, preventing cancer cells from recovering.

Is the order of applying radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) important, and if so, why?

Yes, the sequence in which radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) are applied matters. Preliminary research suggests that when RFA is performed first, it can increase the permeability of tumor cell membranes, making them more vulnerable to the subsequent IRE pulses. Alternatively, IRE can create nano-scale pores in the cell membranes, facilitating heat conduction during RFA. Optimizing this sequence will be crucial in future treatment protocols.

What does 'enhanced ablation zone' mean in the context of combining radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) therapies?

The combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) can lead to a significantly larger area of tumor destruction. This is because the transitional zone, initially injured by one treatment, is further compromised by the second. Additionally, preliminary RFA or IRE treatment increases the electrical conductivity of the tumor, enhancing the effectiveness of the subsequent treatment.

Considering the promising results of combining radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE), what are the next steps in researching this combined approach for cancer treatment?

While combining radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) shows promise, it's important to remember that the current study was conducted in vitro using a 3D cervical cancer cell model. This means the results need to be validated in in vivo models (living organisms) and, eventually, human clinical trials before the combined approach can be widely adopted. Future research will focus on optimizing treatment protocols and identifying the ideal candidates for this combined therapy approach to improve cancer treatment.