The first official seminar on “Introduction and Applications of Electrochemotherapy (ECT) in Cancer Treatment” was held on Thursday, August 28, 2025 (6 Shahrivar 1404) at Iran University of Medical Sciences, organized by the Health Promotion Research Center. The event showcased a major national achievement in cancer therapy, highlighting the successful development and clinical application of a fully indigenous electrochemotherapy technology now available in public hospitals with insurance coverage.

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an innovative and fully homegrown cancer treatment technology that combines electrical currents with chemotherapy to dramatically increase treatment efficacy. After years of intensive research and final approval by the Ministry of Health, this technology has now been implemented in public hospitals in Tehran, supported by insurance coverage, and made available to patients.

Dr. Nahid Nafisi, surgeon and faculty member at Iran University of Medical Sciences, stated:

“ECT works by temporarily permeabilizing tumor cell membranes through electrical pulses, allowing chemotherapeutic drugs to directly and effectively enter cancer cells at high concentrations, rapidly leading to cell death. The technique significantly reduces systemic drug distribution and side effects. It is particularly valuable for advanced, recurrent, inoperable tumors, or those where surgery would cause severe complications or organ loss, as it can shrink or even completely eliminate such tumors.”

Dr. Nafisi emphasized that this major achievement, the result of Iranian researchers’ efforts, has created new hope for the treatment of difficult-to-treat and inoperable cancers. The technology has already been installed in public hospitals affiliated with Tehran, Shahid Beheshti, and Iran Universities of Medical Sciences, where trained specialists are currently providing services to patients.

She further explained that Prof. Mohammad Abdolahad, Head of the Cancer Electrotechnics Research Center, first designed the ECT device about five to six years ago. Over the past four to five years, extensive clinical research on different cancer types—including liver metastases, breast cancer, abdominal tumors, and head and neck cancers—has been carried out at leading medical universities in Iran.

According to Dr. Nafisi, this technology is the product of interdisciplinary collaboration between medicine, engineering, and electrical sciences. Beyond successfully localizing international guidelines, it has also achieved innovations that remain unaddressed in existing international publications.

The seminar, held on August 28, 2025, brought together leading experts and faculty members from across the country. It represented a significant step in introducing and promoting this national medical innovation.

Dr. Nafisi, President of the Iranian Breast Surgeons Society, also highlighted the importance of raising awareness among healthcare professionals:

“If our colleagues in Tehran and other provinces become familiar with this knowledge and technology, it will create substantial benefits for patients nationwide. We hope that soon all Iranians will be able to benefit from this advanced indigenous technology.”