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Jouni A, Baragona M, Pedersoli F, Ritter A. Temperature Distribution on Classical Two Needles IRE Setup Versus a Single Needle Prototype. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2024; 23:15330338241288342. [PMID: 39440388 PMCID: PMC11500228 DOI: 10.1177/15330338241288342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) is a non-thermal minimally invasive cancer therapy used in the treatment of liver tumors. However, the therapy entails an electrical current flux which can be high enough to cause a noticeable temperature increase. Therefore, the analysis of the heat distribution is important: during any IRE treatment, the target area is intended to be treated with non-thermal effects, where existing thermal effects should not damage nearby sensitive structures. This article aims to compare the established two parallel needles electrode setup, used by FDA-approved electroporation delivering devices, to a single needle, multiple electrode prototype design. METHODS Levels and distributions of the temperature at different distances from the applicators during an IRE liver treatment were investigated. The prototype results were collated with already published in-vivo data. All electrode configurations were analyzed numerically in COMSOL Multiphysics for different pulse protocols. RESULTS The extension of coagulation necrosis predicted by the model matched available in-vivo data. While the maximum average temperature during pulsation was higher for the prototype (74 °C) than for the two-needle IRE setup (57 °C), the thickness of the coagulation necrosis around the conductive electrodes was in the same range for both configurations. However, the location differed completely: the necrosis engendered by the prototype was located inside the tumor, while the two-needle IRE setup created necrosis outside the tumor, potentially closer to sensitive structures. CONCLUSION The results highlighted the importance of heat distribution analysis for the design of new IRE needles as well as for IRE treatment planning. Proper analysis ensures that the non-thermal effects are maximized while minimizing any potential thermal damage to surrounding sensitive structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Jouni
- University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Federico Pedersoli
- Imaging Institute of Italian Switzerland, Bellinzona Regional Hospital, San Giovanni, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Ritter
- University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Aachen, Germany
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Ferioli M, Perrone AM, Buwenge M, Arcelli A, Zamagni A, Macchia G, Deodato F, Cilla S, Tagliaferri L, De Terlizzi F, De Iaco P, Zamagni C, Morganti AG. Electrochemotherapy of skin metastases from breast cancer: a systematic review. Clin Exp Metastasis 2020; 38:1-10. [PMID: 33180222 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-020-10063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Skin metastases occur in 5-30% of breast cancer (BC) patients. Standard treatments include systemic therapies (chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and immunotherapy) and local treatments (surgery and radiotherapy). Electrochemotherapy (ECT) could be another option in this setting based on preclinical and clinical studies. Aim of this review was to analyze the available evidence on ECT in skin metastases from BC. Studies reporting on ECT in skin metastases from BC were included in this review. Studies not reporting toxicity or tumor response or not reporting results separately from other primary cancers were excluded. The search was based on Medline, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library databases. Eleven studies including 464 patients were analyzed. ECT was performed using intravenous/intratumoral bleomycin (10 studies) or intratumoral cisplatin (one study). Complete and overall pooled response rates were 46.2% (95%CI 33.2-59.4 and 74.6% (95%CI 60.6-86.4) in studies reporting results on a per patient basis and 61.9% (95%CI 53.8-69.6) and 86.9% (95%CI 80.0-92.6) in studies reporting results on a per lesion basis, respectively. Worse response rates in larger lesions were observed in three studies. The incidence of toxicity was heterogeneous but adverse events were mild and manageable in all studies. One- and 3-year local progression-free survival was 86.2% and 81.0% in two studies, respectively. ECT is tolerable and effective in terms of response in BC skin metastases especially in less advanced lesions. Further studies are justified to compare ECT with other treatments in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Ferioli
- Radiation Oncology Center, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine - DIMES, University of Bologna S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Anna Myriam Perrone
- Oncologic Gynaecology Unit, Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milly Buwenge
- Radiation Oncology Center, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine - DIMES, University of Bologna S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Arcelli
- Radiation Oncology Center, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine - DIMES, University of Bologna S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alice Zamagni
- Radiation Oncology Center, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine - DIMES, University of Bologna S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriella Macchia
- Radiotherapy Unit, Gemelli Molise Hospital, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Francesco Deodato
- Radiotherapy Unit, Gemelli Molise Hospital, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Savino Cilla
- Medical Physic Unit, Gemelli Molise Hospital, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Pierandrea De Iaco
- Oncologic Gynaecology Unit, Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Zamagni
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio Giuseppe Morganti
- Radiation Oncology Center, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine - DIMES, University of Bologna S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
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Vera-Tizatl CE, Talamás-Rohana P, Vera-Hernández A, Leija-Salas L, Rodríguez-Cuevas SA, Chávez-Munguía B, Vera-Tizatl AL. Cell morphology impact on the set-up of electroporation protocols for in-suspension and adhered breast cancer cells. Electromagn Biol Med 2020; 39:323-339. [PMID: 32762310 DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2020.1799387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In order to establish cancer-type-specific electroporation protocols for breast cancer, electroporation was performed in vitro in two modalities: in-suspension and adhered cells. Electroporation of cell suspensions was carried out through commercial electroporation cuvettes whereas a novel electrode for electroporation of adhered cells was designed and manufactured aimed to preserve cell structure, to provide a closer model to an in vivo scenario, and as a means to visualize the mechanical effects of electroporation on the cell membrane by using scanning electron microscopy. Electroporation protocols and electric field thresholds were predicted in silico and experimentally tuned through propidium iodide uptake and cell viability. Three breast-cancer cell lines (BT-20, MCF-7 and HCC1419) and a non-cancerous cell line (BEAS-2B) were used. Cancerous cells responded differently to electroporation depending on the electric parameters, cell histology, the cell culture modality, and the cell morphology (membrane thickness mainly), which was evaluated trough confocal and transmission electron microscopy. Particularly, it was found that electrochemotherapy may represent a promising alternative as an adjuvant treatment of metastatic breast tumours, and as a neoadjuvant therapy for Her2/neu tumours. Oppositely, triple negative breast tumours may show a high sensitivity to electroporation and therefore, they could be efficiently treated with irreversible electroporation. On the other hand, noncancerous cells demanded the highest voltage in both cell culture modalities in order to be electroporated. Hence, these cells in suspension may provide a reliable, easy-to-perform, low-cost model for the development of electroporation protocols for eradication of healthy tissue around a tumour in a safety margin.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Vera-Tizatl
- Departamento De Infectómica Y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro De Investigación Y De Estudios Avanzados Del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) , Mexico City, México
| | - P Talamás-Rohana
- Departamento De Infectómica Y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro De Investigación Y De Estudios Avanzados Del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) , Mexico City, México
| | - A Vera-Hernández
- Departamento De Ingeniería Eléctrica, Centro De Investigación Y De Estudios Avanzados Del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) , Mexico City, México
| | - L Leija-Salas
- Departamento De Ingeniería Eléctrica, Centro De Investigación Y De Estudios Avanzados Del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) , Mexico City, México
| | - S A Rodríguez-Cuevas
- Scientific Research Department , Sociedad Mexicana De Oncología , Mexico City, México
| | - B Chávez-Munguía
- Departamento De Infectómica Y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro De Investigación Y De Estudios Avanzados Del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) , Mexico City, México
| | - A L Vera-Tizatl
- Departamento De Ingeniería Eléctrica, Centro De Investigación Y De Estudios Avanzados Del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) , Mexico City, México
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Jankovic SM, Masic I. Methodological Errors in Clinical Studies Published by Medical Journals of Ex-Yugoslav Countries. Acta Inform Med 2020; 28:84-93. [PMID: 32742058 PMCID: PMC7382772 DOI: 10.5455/aim.2020.28.84-93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Certain methodological principles should be inexcusably followed when designing clinical or observational research to avoid bias and presentation of results that do not reflect the truth about the phenomenon that is the object of the study. AIM The aim of this study was to compare the methodological quality of clinical trials and observational studies published in medical journals from ex-Yugoslav countries indexed in Pubmed/MEDLINE. METHODS Clinical studies published in medical journals of ex-Yugoslav countries were retrieved from the Pubmed/MEDLINE database, and the sample for analysis was randomly chosen from the retrieved publications. The rate of the most common errors in the design of clinical/observational studies was established by a careful reading of the sampled publications and their checking against predefined criteria. RESULTS The studies published in two countries that are now member states of the European Union (Slovenia and Croatia) have significantly higher citation rates, impact factor, and methodological quality scores than studies from other ex-Yugoslav countries. While publications from Croatia show clear improvement trend throughout the last two decades, which is visible also in the last 10 years in Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, quality of clinical research published in journals from Serbia was stagnating in the same period. CONCLUSIONS There are significant differences in methodological quality and scientometric characteristics of clinical research published in medical journals of ex-Yugoslav countries that could be mitigated by more intensive training of clinical researchers in statistics and research design, as well as by more rigorous editorial practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slobodan M Jankovic
- Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Izet Masic
- Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Campana LG, Miklavčič D, Bertino G, Marconato R, Valpione S, Imarisio I, Dieci MV, Granziera E, Cemazar M, Alaibac M, Sersa G. Electrochemotherapy of superficial tumors - Current status:: Basic principles, operating procedures, shared indications, and emerging applications. Semin Oncol 2019; 46:173-191. [PMID: 31122761 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of superficial tumors with electrochemotherapy (ECT) has shown a steep rise over the past decade and indications range from skin cancers to locally advanced or metastatic neoplasms. Based on reversible electroporation, which is a physical method to achieve transient tumor cell membrane permeabilization by means of short electric pulses, ECT increases cellular uptake of bleomycin and cisplatin and their cytotoxicity by 8,000- and 80-fold, respectively. Standard operating procedures were established in 2006 and updated in 2018. Ease of administration, patient tolerability, efficacy across histotypes, and repeatability are peculiar advantages, which make standard ECT (ie, ECT using fixed-geometry electrodes) a reliable option for controlling superficial tumor growth locally and preventing their morbidity. Consolidated indications include superficial metastatic melanoma, breast cancer, head and neck skin tumors, nonmelanoma skin cancers, and Kaposi sarcoma. In well-selected patients with oropharyngeal cancers, ECT ensures appreciable symptom control. Emerging applications include skin metastases from visceral or hematological malignancies, vulvar cancer, and some noncancerous skin lesions (keloids and capillary vascular malformations). Repeatability and integration with other oncologic therapies allow for consolidation of response and sustained tumor control. In this review, we present the basic principles of ECT, recently updated operating procedures, anesthesiological management, and provide a synthesis of the efficacy of standard ECT across histotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca G Campana
- Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University of Padua, Italy; Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Giulia Bertino
- Department of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Ilaria Imarisio
- Medical Oncology Unit, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Dieci
- Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy; Medical Oncology-2, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Elisa Granziera
- Anesthesiology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mauro Alaibac
- Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Wichtowski M, Murawa D, Czarnecki R, Piechocki J, Nowecki Z, Witkiewicz W. Electrochemotherapy in the Treatment of Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue - Multicenter Experience. Oncol Res Treat 2018; 42:47-51. [PMID: 30537762 DOI: 10.1159/000494093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Breast cancer is responsible for more than 50% of cutaneous metastases. One of the treatment options is electrochemotherapy (ECT). It is an effective method of local tumor ablation through the application of electroporation. The primary objective of the study was to demonstrate a response to the treatment in our group of patients. METHODS Between February 2015 and October 2016, in 3 centers in Poland, 47 ECT procedures were performed in 38 patients with metastasis of breast cancer to the skin. RESULTS At 12 weeks after the procedures, 71% of patients showed a positive response to the treatment (42% with complete response, and 29% with partial response). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only the estrogen receptor status and the size of the metastatic lesion were predictive of overall response (p = 0.0243 and p = 0.03716, respectively). CONCLUSION The results of our study demonstrate a high effectiveness of ECT in the treatment of cutaneous metastasis from breast cancer. This method, although used for palliative treatment, brings a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients.
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Campana LG, Edhemovic I, Soden D, Perrone AM, Scarpa M, Campanacci L, Cemazar M, Valpione S, Miklavčič D, Mocellin S, Sieni E, Sersa G. Electrochemotherapy - Emerging applications technical advances, new indications, combined approaches, and multi-institutional collaboration. Eur J Surg Oncol 2018; 45:92-102. [PMID: 30528893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2018.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of tumors with electrochemotherapy (ECT) has surged over the past decade. Thanks to the transient cell membrane permeabilization induced by the short electric pulses used by ECT, cancer cells are exposed to otherwise poorly permeant chemotherapy agents, with consequent increased cytotoxicity. The codification of the procedure in 2006 led to a broad diffusion of the procedure, mainly in Europe, and since then, the progressive clinical experience, together with the emerging technologies, have extended the range of its application. Herein, we review the key advances in the ECT field since the European Standard Operating Procedures on ECT (ESOPE) 2006 guidelines and discuss the emerging clinical data on the new ECT indications. First, technical developments have improved ECT equipment, with custom electrode probes and dedicated tools supporting individual treatment planning in anatomically challenging tumors. Second, the feasibility and short-term efficacy of ECT has been established in deep-seated tumors, including bone metastases, liver malignancies, and pancreatic and prostate cancers (long-needle variable electrode geometry ECT), and gastrointestinal tumors (endoscopic ECT). Moreover, pioneering studies indicate lung and brain tumors as suitable future targets. A further advance relates to new combination strategies with immunotherapy, gene electro transfer (GET), calcium EP, and radiotherapy. Finally and fourth, cross-institutional collaborative groups have been established to refine procedural guidelines, promote clinical research, and explore new indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca G Campana
- Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University of Padua, Italy; Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
| | - Ibrahim Edhemovic
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Anna M Perrone
- Oncologic Gynecology Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Scarpa
- Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Laura Campanacci
- 3rd Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic Prevalently Oncologic, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sara Valpione
- Christie NHS Foundation Trust, CRUK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simone Mocellin
- Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University of Padua, Italy; Surgical Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Sieni
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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