Controlled Drug Delivery Mediated by CW Electric fields: Experimental Setup and 3D Microdosimetry Modelling

Radiofrequency (RF) continuous wave (CW) signals represent a promising tool to electropermeabilize cells, thanks to the possibility to use non-invasive applicators. A further improvement is represented by the use of CW signals to activate small lipid vesicles carrying a drug to the cell site, in order to enhance the drug acquisition by the cell. The ultimate challenge is the simultaneous electroporation of cells and vesicles induced by CW signals, obtaining a controlled drug delivery governed by electromagnetic fields. In this work, a 3D microdosimetric study is presented, together with an experimental setup, to plan in vitro drug delivery experiments, using non-thermal CW signals at 100 kHz, 10 MHz and 100 MHz, to simultaneously electroporate cells and liposome nanocarriers.