IRE ablation plus immunotherapy combo for metastatic cancer
This technology combines a physical tumor-destruction technique called irreversible electroporation (IRE) with immunotherapy to treat cancer. IRE uses precisely tuned electrical pulses delivered through a probe inserted into a tumor to kill cancer cells by permanently disrupting their membranes. The key insight is that this cell death releases tumor antigens and triggers an immune response that can then attack cancer cells elsewhere in the body, including metastases. The method also involves administering immune-stimulating agents to amplify that response. Together, the two approaches aim to turn a local tumor ablation into a whole-body anti-cancer immune event.
What you could build
A procedural protocol and device system for interventional oncologists that pairs an IRE ablation catheter with a coordinated immunotherapy agent administration regimen, sold to cancer centers and interventional radiology practices as a combination therapy platform.
Who in Virginia should care
Cancer centers and interventional radiology programs at health systems like Inova, VCU Health, or UVA Health; also device companies in the Northern Virginia and Richmond med-tech corridor exploring oncology tools.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Rafael V. Davalos, John H. Rossmeisl, Paulo A. Garcia
- Granted
- November 10, 2020
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 10828086
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.