Abstract:

Pulsed field ablation (PFA), a non-thermal ablation technique that induces cell death via irreversible electroporation, has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for treating tumors located in anatomically complex regions. This review comprehensively examines recent developments in PFA, including its mechanisms foundations, established clinical applications in pancreatic, prostate and liver cancer, and expanding utility with other tumors, etc. Furthermore, we discuss synergistic approaches combining PFA with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy to augment therapeutic outcomes. In addition, technological innovations—such as robotic assistance, magnetic anchoring, and artificial intelligence—that improve precision and reproducibility are also explored. Despite encouraging clinical results, broader implementation of PFA necessitates higher-quality evidence from large-scale randomized trials and standardized treatment protocols. This review highlights the transformative potential of PFA in oncology while addressing contemporary challenges and future research directions to facilitate clinical translation.

Key words: Pulsed field ablation; Irreversible electroporation; Tumor ablation; Clinical applications