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. 2022 Apr;20(4):470-481.
doi: 10.1111/ddg.14699. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Prospective cohort study by InspECT on safety and efficacy of electrochemotherapy for cutaneous tumors and metastases depending on ulceration

Carla Sophie Claussen  1 , Graeme Moir  2 , Falk G Bechara  3 , Antonio Orlando  4 , Paolo Matteucci  5 , David Mowatt  6 , Anthony James P Clover  7   8 , Matteo Mascherini  9 , Julie Gehl  10   11 , Tobian Muir  12 , Gregor Sersa  13 , Ales Groselj  14 , Joy Odili  15 , Roberto Giorgione  16 , Luca Giovanni Campana  17   18 , Giulia Bertino  19 , Pietro Curatolo  20 , Shramana Banerjee  21 , Erika Kis  22 , Pietro Quaglino  23 , Rowan Pritchard-Jones  24 , Francesca De Terlizzi  25 , Eva-Maria Grischke  26 , Christian Kunte  1   27
Affiliations

Prospective cohort study by InspECT on safety and efficacy of electrochemotherapy for cutaneous tumors and metastases depending on ulceration

Carla Sophie Claussen et al. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an effective local treatment for cutaneous tumors. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of ECT in ulcerated vs. non-ulcerated tumors and investigate the effect on tumor-associated symptoms.

Methods: Twenty cancer centers in the International Network for Sharing Practices on Electrochemotherapy (InspECT) prospectively collected data. ECT was performed following ESOPE protocol. Response was evaluated by lesion size development. Pain, symptoms, performance status (ECOG-Index) and health status (EQ-5D questionnaire) were evaluated.

Results: 716 patients with ulcerated (n = 302) and non-ulcerated (n = 414) cutaneous tumors and metastases were included (minimum follow-up of 45 days). Non-ulcerated lesions responded to ECT better than ulcerated lesions (complete response 65 % vs. 51 %, p = 0.0061). Only 38 % (115/302) with ulcerated lesions before ECT presented with ulcerated lesions at final follow-up. Patients with ulcerated lesions reported higher pain and more severe symptoms compared to non-ulcerated lesions, which significantly and continuously improved following ECT. In non-ulcerated lesions however, pain spiked during the treatment. No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: ECT is a safe and effective local treatment for cutaneous tumors. While ECT improves symptoms especially in patients with ulcerated lesions, data suggest the implementation of a perioperative pain management in non-ulcerated lesions during ECT.

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