1. Ultrasonographic changes in the liver tumors as indicators of adequate tumor coverage with electric field for effective electrochemotherapyNina Boc, Ibrahim Edhemović, Bor Kos, Maja Marolt-Mušič, Erik Brecelj, Blaž Trotovšek, Maša Omerzel, Mihajlo Djokić, Damijan Miklavčič, Maja Čemažar, Gregor Serša, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of the study was to characterize ultrasonographic (US) findings during and after electrochemotherapy of liver tumors to determine the actual ablation zone and to verify the coverage of the treated tumor with a sufficiently strong electric field for effective electrochemotherapy. Patients and methods. US findings from two representative patients that describe immediate and delayed tumor changes after electrochemotherapy of colorectal liver metastases are presented. Results. The US findings were interrelated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Electrochemotherapy-treated tumors were exposed to electric pulses based on computational treatment planning. The US findings indicate immediate appearance of hyperechogenic microbubbles along the electrode tracks. Within minutes, the tumors became evenly hyperechogenic, and simultaneously, an oedematous rim was formed presenting as a hypoechogenic formation which persisted for several hours after treatment. The US findings overlapped with computed electric field distribution in the treated tissue, indicating adequate coverage of tumors with sufficiently strong electric field, which may predict an effective treatment outcome. Conclusions. US provides a tool for assessment of appropriate electrode insertion for intraoperative electrochemotherapy of liver tumors and assessment of the appropriate coverage of a tumor with a sufficiently strong electric field and can serve as predictor of the response of tumors.
Keywords: elctrochemotherapy, ultrasound, treatment plan, liver
Published in DiRROS: 11.06.2024; Views: 24; Downloads: 6
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2. Safety and efficacy of IL-12 plasmid DNA transfection into pig skin : supportive data for human clinical trials on gene therapy and vaccinationUrša Lampreht Tratar, Tanja Jesenko, Maša Omerzel, Alenka Seliškar, Urban Stupan, Mihajlo Djokić, Jerneja Sredenšek, Blaž Trotovšek, Gregor Serša, Maja Čemažar, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Gene electrotransfer (GET) of plasmids encoding interleukin 12 (IL-12) has already been used for the treatment of various types of tumors in human oncology and as an adjuvant in DNA vaccines. In recent years, we have developed a plasmid encoding human IL-12 (phIL12) that is currently in a phase I clinical study. The aim was to confirm the results of a non-clinical study in mice on pharmacokinetic characteristics and safety in a porcine model that better resembled human skin. The GET of phIL12 in the skin was performed on nine pigs using different concentrations of plasmid phIL12 and invasive (needle) or noninvasive (plate) types of electrodes. The results of our study demonstrate that the GET of phIL-12 with needle electrodes induced the highest expression of IL-12 at the protein level on day 7 after the procedure. The plasmid was distributed to all tested organs; however, its amount decreased over time and was at a minimum 28 days after GET. Based on plasmid copy number and expression results, together with blood analysis, we showed that IL-12 GET is safe in a porcine animal model. Furthermore, we demonstrated that pigs are a valuable model for human gene therapy safety studies.
Keywords: interleukin 12, gene electrotransfer, immunotherapy
Published in DiRROS: 18.04.2024; Views: 171; Downloads: 77
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