Electrochemotherapy for large cutaneous recurrence of breast cancer: A phase II clinical trial

• DOI: 10.3109/0284186x.2012.685524
• Publication Date: 2012-06-27T08:58:03Z
• Authors: Louise Wichmann M...; Helle Hjorth Joha...; Helle Westergren ...; Timothy Moss; Claus Kamby; Julie Gehl
• Keywords: Electrochemotherapy; Clinical endpoint

Background. Cutaneous recurrences of breast cancer may cause considerable discomfort due to ulceration, oozing, and pain can also be difficult treat. Electrochemotherapy is a localised anticancer treatment using electric pulses make cell membranes permeable, augmenting uptake chemotherapeutic drugs, thus enabling highly efficient tumour kill. This the first systematic investigation electrochemotherapy for larger cutaneous cancer. Patients methods. We conducted phase II trial patients with where no further options were available. Primary endpoint was objective response evaluated by clinical examination. Secondary endpoints included PET/CT, change in lung diffusion capacity, patient reported symptoms, distress related bodily appearance. Treatment consisted bleomycin injection followed application pulses. Results. Seventeen heavily pre-treated received electrochemotherapy. Twelve evaluable (follow-up > 8 weeks). CT showed four (33%) achieving over 50% volume reduction, examination one CR PR (OR 17%). Symptomatic relief decreasing exudates, odour, bleeding. well tolerated; main side effect post-treatment pain. Conclusion. study indicates that promising alternative