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Review
. 2022 Aug 14;56(3):285-291.
doi: 10.2478/raon-2022-0022.

Electrochemotherapy for solid tumors: literature review and presentation of a novel endoscopic approach

Francesca Matilde Schipilliti  1 , Maurizio Onorato, Giulia Arrivi  1 , Martina Panebianco  1 , Debora Lerinò  1 , Annalisa Milano  1 , Michela Roberto  2 , Carlo Capalbo  1 , Federica Mazzuca  1
Affiliations
Review

Electrochemotherapy for solid tumors: literature review and presentation of a novel endoscopic approach

Francesca Matilde Schipilliti et al. Radiol Oncol. .

Abstract

Background: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a minimally invasive and safe treatment gaining positive and long-lasting antitumoral results that are receiving the attention of the scientific community. It is a local treatment that combines the use of electroporation and the administration of cytotoxic drugs to induce cell death in the target tissue. ECT is largely used for the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions, and good results have been reported for the treatment of deep visceral tumors. The latest literature review is provided. Moreover, in line with its development for the treatment of visceral tumors in this article, we describe a novel approach of ECT: endoscopic treatment of colorectal cancer. Endoscopic ECT application was combined with systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of obstructing rectal cancer without prospective surgery. A good response after ECT was described: concentric involvement of the rectum was reduced, and no stenosing lesions were detected.

Conclusions: Clinical studies have demonstrated that ECT is a very effective treatment for tumors of different histologic types and localizations. Endoscopic treatment for gastrointestinal cancer is an innovative application of ECT. The combination of systemic treatment and ECT was safe and highly effective in the treatment of colorectal cancer, especially when obstructive, giving the patient a significant gain in quality of life.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; electrochemotherapy; endoscopy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) NMR imaging before Electrochemotherapy (ECT) and (B) follow-up evaluation 4 weeks after the ECT session.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The new Stinger electrode. (A) The overall support with the connecting cable. (B) The needle expandable electrodes at the extremity.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) session. (A) before ECT, (B) electrode positioning, (C) at the 4-week follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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