Electrochemotherapy of solid tumors--preclinical and clinical experience

Electrochemotherapy consists of administration of the chemotherapeutic drug followed by application of electric pulses to the tumor, in order to facilitate the drug uptake into the cells. Only two chemotherapeutics are currently used in electrochemotherapy, bleomycin and cisplatin, which both have hampered transport through the plasma membrane without electroporation of tumors. Based on extensive preclinical studies, elaborating on parameters for effective tumor treatment and elucidating the mechanisms of this therapy, electrochemotherapy is now in clinical use. It is in standard treatment of melanoma cutaneous metastases in Europe. However it is effective also for cutaneous metastases of other tumor types. Currently the technology is being developed also for treatment of bigger, deep seated tumors. With long needle electrodes and new electric pulse generators, clinical trials are on-going for treatment of liver metastases, bone metastases and soft tissue sarcomas.