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Keywords: citologija, diagnostika, onkologija
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2023; Views: 16; Downloads: 7
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Keywords: DNA sensors, irradiation, immunostimulation
Published in DiRROS: 10.10.2022; Views: 127; Downloads: 60
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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: 136; Downloads: 61
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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: 170; Downloads: 55
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Abstract: Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a cytokine used as a therapeutic molecule in cancer immunotherapy. Gene electrotransfer mediated delivery of IL-12 gene has reached clinical evaluation in the USA using a plasmid that in addition to IL- 12 gene also carry an antibiotic resistance gene needed for its production in bacteria. In Europe however, Eu- ropean Medicines Agency recommends against the use of antibiotics during the production of clinical grade plasmids. We have prepared several antibiotic resistance gene-free plasmids using an antibiotic-free selection strategy called operator-repressor titration, including plasmids encoding mouse, canine and human IL-12 orthologues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the maintenance of these plasmids in bacterial culture and test their transfection efficiency using gene electrotransfer. Plasmid maintenance was evaluated by determining plasmid yields and topologies after subculturing transformed bacteria. Transfection efficiency was evaluated by determining the plasmid copy number, expression and cytotoxicity after gene electrotransfer to mouse, canine and human melanoma cells. The results demonstrated that our IL-12 plasmids without an antibiotic resistance gene are stably maintained in bacteria and provide sufficient IL-12 expression after in vitro gene electrotransfer; therefore, they have the potential to proceed to further in vivo evaluation studies.
Keywords: electrotransfer, interleukin-12, immunotherapy, mammals
Published in DiRROS: 23.09.2022; Views: 190; Downloads: 82
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