Electrochemotherapy for solid tumors: literature review and presentation of a novel endoscopic approach

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a minimally invasive and safe treatment gaining positive and long-lasting anti-tumoral results that is getting the attention of the scientific community. It is a local treatment that combines the use of electroporation and the administration of cytotoxic drugs in order to induce cell necrosis in the target tissue.

ECT is largely used for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions and good results have been reported for treatment in deep visceral tumours. This article describes a novel approach of ECT: endoscopic treatment of colorectal cancer. Endoscopic ECT application was combined to systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of an obstructing rectal cancer without surgery prospective. A good response after ECT was described: concentrical involvement of rectum was reduced, no stenosing lesions were detective.

CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment for gastrointestinal cancer is a innovative application of ECT. Combination of systemic treatment and ECT resulted safe and highly effective in treatment of colorectal cancer, especially when obstructive, giving the patient a significative gain in quality of life.