Electrochemotherapy combined with immunotherapy – a promising potential in the treatment of cancer

Hadzialjevic, Benjamin; Omerzel, Masa; Trotovsek, Blaz; Cemazar, Maja; Jesenko, Tanja; Sersa, Gregor; Djokic, Mihajlo

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1336866

Front. Immunol.

2024

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1336866

|View full text |Cite

Electrochemotherapy combined with immunotherapy – a promising potential in the treatment of cancer

Benjamin Hadzialjevic,

Masa Omerzel,

Blaz Trotovsek

et al.

Abstract: Electrochemotherapy is a novel, locoregional therapy that is used to treat cutaneous and deep-seated tumors. The electric pulses used in electrochemotherapy increase the permeability of the cell membranes of the target lesion and thus enhance the delivery of low-permeant cytotoxic drugs to the cells, leading to their death. It has also been postulated that electrochemotherapy acts as an in situ vaccination by inducing immunogenic cell death. This in turn leads to an enhanced systemic antitumor response, which … Show more

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...

Citation Types

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Year Published

2024

Publication Types

Select...

Article3

Relationship

Self Cite0

Independent3

Authors

Journals

Cited by 3 publications

References 72 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

Reversible electroporation for cancer therapy

Shiwani,

Singh Dhesi,

Wah

2024

British Journal of Radiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Reversible electroporation refers to the use of high voltage electrical pulses on tissues to increase cell membrane permeability. It allows targeted delivery of high concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin and bleomycin, a process known as electrochemotherapy (ECT). It can also be used to deliver toxic concentrations of calcium and gene therapies that stimulate an anti-tumour immune response. ECT was validated for palliative treatment of cutaneous tumours. Evidence to date shows a mean objective response rate of ∼80% in these patients. Regression of non-treated lesions has also been demonstrated, theorised to be from an in-situ vaccination effect. Advances in electrode development have also allowed treatment of deep-seated metastatic lesions and primary tumours, with safety demonstrated in vivo. Calcium electroporation and combination immunotherapy or immunogene electrotransfer is also feasible, but research is limited. Adverse events of ECT are minimal; however, general anaesthesia is often necessary, and improvements in modelling capabilities and electrode design are required to enable sufficient electrical coverage. International collaboration between preclinical researchers, oncologists and interventionalists is required to identify the most effective combination therapies, to optimise procedural factors, and to expand use, indications and assessment of reversible electroporation. Registries with standardised data collection methods may facilitate this.

show abstract

Reversible electroporation for cancer therapy

Shiwani,

Singh Dhesi,

Wah

2024

British Journal of Radiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Stereotactic Percutaneous Electrochemotherapy as a New Minimal Invasive Treatment Modality for Primary and Secondary Liver Malignancies

Luerken,

Goetz,

Mayr

et al. 2024

Biomedicines

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and Objectives: To report on the first results of safety, efficacy, and outcome of CT-navigated stereotactic percutaneous electrochemotherapy (SpECT) in patients with primary and secondary liver malignancies. Methods: This retrospective study included 23 consecutive lesions in 22 patients who underwent SpECT for primary and secondary malignant liver lesions with locally curative intention. The endpoints were primary technique efficacy (PTE), local tumor progression (LTP), time to progression (TTP), and occurrence of adverse events. Results: The mean maximum diameter of the treated lesions was 42 mm (range: 16 mm–72 mm). Eight lesions were hepatocellular carcinoma (34.8%), five lesions were colorectal liver metastases (21.7%), three lesions were cholangiocellular carcinoma (13.0%), and the other seven lesions were liver metastases from different primary cancers (30.4%). PTE was achieved for 22 lesions (95.7%). The mean follow-up time was 15 months (0–39 months). No LTP was observed. In six patients (27.3%), hepatic tumor progression was observed during follow-up with a mean TTP of 3.8 months (2–8 months). In 10 procedures (43.5%), minor complications (1 CIRSE Grade 2) and side effects occurred, but no major complications were observed. Conclusions: SpECT seems to be a safe and effective new local treatment modality for primary and secondary liver malignancies.

show abstract

Review of Role of Surgery with Electroporation in Melanoma: Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, and Gene Delivery

Ahmad,

Walsh,

Kirane

2024

JCM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Electroporation with chemotherapy (ECT) is currently offered as a treatment in Europe for locoregional or metastatic melanoma with cutaneous lesions. However, the role of surgery and other forms of electroporation in melanoma requires further evaluation. Two reviewers used two databases to conduct a literature search and review, and 51 publications related to electroporation with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or gene delivery were found. ECT appears to be effective in reducing tumor burden for surgical resection, replacing surgical intervention with evidence of complete regression in some lesions, and inducing both local and systemic immune effects. These immune effects are pronounced when ECT is combined with immunotherapy, with a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS). Other forms of electroporation, such as those using calcium chloride, an IL-12 plasmid, and vaccination, require further study. However, IL-12 plasmid electroporation may be inferior to ECT based on the evidence available. Furthermore, irradiation of the tumor prior to ECT treatment is negatively correlated with local response. Access to ECT is restricted in the US and requires further evaluation. More randomized controlled trials of ECT and electroporation treatment in locoregional melanoma are recommended.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Electrochemotherapy combined with immunotherapy – a promising potential in the treatment of cancer

Cited by 3 publications

References 72 publications

Reversible electroporation for cancer therapy

Reversible electroporation for cancer therapy

Stereotactic Percutaneous Electrochemotherapy as a New Minimal Invasive Treatment Modality for Primary and Secondary Liver Malignancies

Review of Role of Surgery with Electroporation in Melanoma: Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, and Gene Delivery

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About