IRE ablation protocol that co-activates antitumor immunity
This technology combines two cancer-fighting approaches into a single treatment protocol. A probe is inserted into a tumor and delivers precisely calibrated electrical pulses that permanently destroy cancer cells through a process called irreversible electroporation — essentially punching holes in cell membranes until they die. Immediately after or alongside this physical destruction, immunotherapy agents are delivered directly into the treated zone or systemically, prompting the body's own immune system to recognize and attack remaining cancer cells. The combination is designed to make the tumor debris left by electroporation act as a kind of in-situ vaccine, amplifying the immune response beyond what either treatment could achieve alone.
What you could build
A procedural protocol and delivery system sold to interventional oncology and hospital cancer centers that combines IRE ablation hardware with co-administered immunotherapy agents, targeting solid tumors in patients who are poor surgical candidates or who have immunologically 'cold' tumors that fail to respond to checkpoint inhibitors alone.
Who in Virginia should care
Academic medical centers and cancer research hospitals in Virginia, such as UVA Health and VCU Massey Cancer Center, would be natural clinical partners; medtech companies near the Northern Virginia or Richmond corridors focused on oncology devices could be interested licensees.
Readiness: Concept
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
- Filed
- Patent pending — filed January 17, 2025
- Status
- Application
- Publication number
- US20250152230A1
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.