The use of a low intensity current (iontophoresis) and high voltage pulses (electroporation which permeabilizes lipid bilayers) has a potential for the administration of conventional and biotechnology-produced drugs. Iontophoresis and electroporation enhance transdermal delivery of drugs, including peptides and oligonucleotides. Electrochemotherapy, i.e., combination of a systemic or local delivery of a non-permeant cytostatic drug with electroporation, kills locally tumor cells. Recently, it has been shown that the local injection of a plasmid before electroporation increases significantly gene transfection. Hence, electrotransfer is a promising alternative for drug and gene delivery.
Préat, V. (2001). Administration de médicaments et de gènes par électrotransfert. Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises, 59(4), 239-244. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/131315 (Original work published 2001)