1. Tumor size and effectiveness of electrochemotherapyBarbara Mali, Damijan Miklavčič, Luca Giovanni Campana, Maja Čemažar, Gregor Serša, Marko Snoj, Tomaž Jarm, 2013, original scientific article Keywords: electrochemotherapy, cutaneous tumors, effectiveness, tumor size, meta-analysis
Published in DiRROS: 22.03.2024; Views: 77; Downloads: 28
 Full text (665,53 KB) |
2. Combination of pembrolizumab with electrochemotherapy in cutaneous metastases from melanoma : a comparative retrospective study from the InspECT and Slovenian Cancer RegistryLuca Giovanni Campana, Barbara Perić, Matteo Mascherini, Romina Spina, Christian Kunte, Erika Kis, Petra Rozsa, Pietro Quaglino, Maja Čemažar, Maša Omerzel, Gregor Serša, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an effective locoregional therapy for cutaneous melanoma metastases and has been safely combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in preliminary experiences. Since ECT is known to induce immunogenic cell death, its combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors might be beneficial. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ECT on cutaneous melanoma metastases in combination with pembrolizumab. We undertook a retrospective matched cohort analysis of stage IIIC%IV melanoma patients, included in the International Network for sharing practices of ECT (InspECT) and the Slovenian Cancer Registry. We compared the outcome of patients who received the following treatments: (a) pembrolizumab alone, (b) pembrolizumab plus ECT, and (c) ECT. The groups were matched for age, sex, performance status, and size of skin metastases. The local objective response rate (ORR) was higher in the pembrolizumab-ECT group than in the pembrolizumab group (78% and 39%, p < 0.001). The 1 year local progression-free survival (LPFS) rates were 86% and 51% (p < 0.001), and the 1 year systemic PFS rates were 64% and 39%, respectively (p = 0.034). The 1 year overall survival (OS) rates were 88% and 64%, respectively (p = 0.006). Our results suggest that skin-directed therapy with ECT improves superficial tumor control in melanoma patients treated with pembrolizumab. Interestingly, we observed longer PFS and OS in the pembrolizumab-ECT group than in the pembrolizumab group. These findings warrant prospective confirmation.
Keywords: electrochemotherapy, metastatic melanoma, skin metastases
Published in DiRROS: 10.10.2022; Views: 465; Downloads: 230
Full text (701,05 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
3. Biological factors of the tumour response to electrochemotherapy : review of the evidence and a research roadmapGregor Serša, Katja Uršič Valentinuzzi, Maja Čemažar, Richard Heller, Maša Omerzel, Luca Giovanni Campana, 2021, review article Abstract: The beneficial effects of electrochemotherapy (ECT) for superficial tumours and, more recently, deepseated malignancies in terms of local control and quality of life are widely accepted. However, the variability in responses across histotypes needs to be explored. Currently, patient selection for ECT is based on clinical factors (tumour size, histotype, and exposure to previous oncological treatments), whereas there are no biomarkers to predict the response to treatment. In this field, two major areas of investigation can be identified, i.e., tumour cell characteristics and the tumour microenvironment (vasculature, extracellular matrix, and immune infiltrate). For each of these areas, we describe the current knowledge and discuss how to foster further investigation. This review aims to provide a summary of the currently used guiding clinical factors and delineates a research roadmap for future studies to identify putative biomarkers of response to ECT. These biomarkers may allow researchers to improve ECT practice by customising treatment parameters, manipulating the tumour and its microenvironment, and exploring novel therapeutic combinations.
Keywords: biological factors, biomarkers, electrochemotherapy, bleomycin, cisplatin
Published in DiRROS: 23.09.2022; Views: 520; Downloads: 159
Full text (1,32 MB) |
4. |
