By Daniel Casciato
Jupiter Medical Center is among the first hospitals in the United States to offer a promising new, minimally invasive treatment for lung tumors: Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA). The procedure was recently performed using the Galvanize Therapeutics Aliya™ Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) System by Dr. Kevin Green, pulmonologist, specializing in advanced bronchoscopy and interventional pulmonology procedures, alongside Dr. K. Adam Lee, cardiothoracic surgeon and medical director of the Thoracic Surgery & Lung Center of Excellence.
Unlike traditional ablation techniques that rely on heat or extreme cold to destroy tumors, PFA uses short pulses of electrical energy delivered directly into the tumor through a bronchoscopic needle. This non-thermal approach disrupts tumor cell membranes while preserving surrounding healthy tissue, offering a safer and more precise option for select patients with lung tumors.
“From a clinical standpoint, the biggest difference is safety,” Dr. Green explains. “Heat-based ablation has been used in the lung on a very limited scale because of complications like bleeding, sometimes even fatal bleeding. Cold-based ablation hasn’t shown the same success in the lung and can carry risks such as gas embolisms. Pulsed field ablation doesn’t damage surrounding structures, and it avoids many of the issues we’ve seen with thermal techniques.”
Because PFA is non-thermal, it leaves blood vessels and connective tissue intact. Dr. Green describes it as preserving the “scaffolding” of the lung. “We’re only treating the tumor cells,” he says. “That means less bleeding, less risk of lung collapse, and the ability to safely treat lesions that may be very close to the heart or major blood vessels.”
The procedure is performed bronchoscopically, meaning no surgical incisions are required. A needle is guided directly into the tumor using robotic bronchoscopy, and short electrical pulses are delivered to destroy cancer cells. For patients, this often translates into little or no pain and a quicker recovery compared to traditional surgery.
One of the most compelling aspects of pulsed field ablation is its potential impact beyond local tumor destruction. Early data suggests the procedure may stimulate an immune response by releasing tumor antigens.
“When we destroy tumor cells, they release immune activators that help prime the immune system,” Dr. Green says. “This could improve a patient’s response to immunotherapy, either as an adjunct before starting treatment or even in patients who haven’t responded well to therapy in the past.”
Dr. Green emphasizes that this technology may benefit not only patients who have exhausted other options, but also those earlier in their treatment journey. “The goal is disease control and extending both the quality and quantity of life,” he says. “We’re adding another tool to the toolbox, and that matters because even with everything we have today, tumors still progress.”
Jupiter Medical Center’s first case using PFA reinforced Dr. Green’s confidence in the technology. “What stood out to me was how seamlessly it fit into our existing workflow,” he recalls. “The needle fits directly through our robotic bronchoscopy catheter. We didn’t have to reinvent anything.”
Perhaps the most transformative aspect, he says, is the ability to diagnose and treat in a single procedure. “We can biopsy the lesion, get an answer, and then treat the tumor while the patient is still under anesthesia,” Dr. Green explains. “That means we’re not waiting weeks for pathology and scheduling a second procedure. We can safely expedite care, which is a huge game changer for patients.”
While the current application is focused on lung tumors, the future potential of pulsed field ablation is expansive. Dr. Green notes that solid tumors in other areas of the chest—and potentially beyond—may benefit as the technology evolves.
“As with any new technology, we’re at the early stages,” he says. “As ablation zones get larger and the tools continue to improve, this could expand to treating bigger lesions and potentially tumors in other organs. We’ve already seen success in treating other solid tumors like sarcomas and skin lesions.”
He stresses, however, that patient selection and timing are critical. “The key is identifying the right patients early,” Dr. Green says. “That’s why our multidisciplinary tumor board is so important. Radiologists, pulmonologists, surgeons, and oncologists are all at the table, making sure patients get the best available treatment at the right time.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Green believes pulsed field ablation may help reshape the role of interventional pulmonology in cancer care. “Traditionally, pulmonologists diagnose lung cancer and then hand patients off for definitive treatment,” he says. “I hope over the next three to five years, we become more involved on the treatment side. Being able to diagnose and treat is incredibly rewarding.”
Dr. Green is quick to acknowledge that bringing this technology to Jupiter Medical Center was a team effort. “I want to give a lot of credit to Dr. Lee,” he says. “He helped champion this technology, worked with hospital leadership, and supported the process every step of the way. Without that collaboration, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
With the introduction of pulsed field ablation for lung tumors, Jupiter Medical Center continues to lead in advanced, patient-centered cancer care, offering renewed hope through innovation, precision, and collaboration.
For more information about pulsed field ablation or the Thoracic Surgery & Lung Center of Excellence, visit jupitermed.com.
