Exploring Electrochemotherapy: A Promising Alternative for Melanoma Treatment
There are several treatment options for melanoma. Surgical removal is most commonly recommended for stage 0-IV cancers. For stage III and IV melanoma, surgery is often accompanied by drug therapies, such as chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.i However, all of these options come with side effects and potential contraindications. Electrochemotherapy may offer an alternative or adjunctive solution to improve treatment outcomes.
Contraindications of conventional melanoma treatment
All patients will have unique experiences of the cancer treatment they undergo. Surgery is often the primary treatment approach and is sometimes accompanied by other therapies in some instances.
Radiation therapy is usually not recommended for treating the original melanoma, although it can be used for recurrences or to target cancer cells after surgery.ii Radiation is often considered a palliative approach or used in cases where surgery is not suitable or has been declined.iii
There is evidence suggesting that chemotherapy may have limited effectiveness in some melanoma cases, although it can still be used to prolong survival or alleviate symptoms.ii If a patient’s body is likely not strong enough to withstand the chemotherapy – due to the considerable side effects or underlying conditions - it is often not recommended. Factors for consideration can include the patient’s comorbidities, age, overall health, surgical complications and disease progression.
A promising alternative
Based on the concept of reversible electroporation, electrochemotherapy is gaining momentum as an alternative treatment solution for melanoma alongside surgery. It works by applying an electrical current to the tissue, temporarily increasing the permeability of the cell membrane to allow large molecules inside. This enables anticancer drugs to enter the tumour, increasing their cytotoxicity for improved treatment outcomes.
Electrochemotherapy with intravenous bleomycin has been used to tackle melanoma since 1995, although subsequent studies have shown cisplatin to be just as effective intratumourally when treating single lesions <2cm in size.v
Efficacy of electrochemotherapy
Research has demonstrated the potential efficacy of electrochemotherapy in managing various cancers, including melanoma.iv A growing body of research supports it as a key solution when surgery or radiotherapy is inappropriate.v Another advantage is that it can be utilised after other therapies have been applied and repeated in the same area as needed.
The successful integration of electrochemotherapy treatment methods relies on accessible and specifically developed technology. The Cliniporator® VITAE, available from Getz Healthcare in Australia and New Zealand, is the most advanced reversible electroporation technology from IGEA Medical on the market. Suitable for either intravenous or intratumoural administration, it offers a highly targeted non-thermal therapy that preserves the surrounding tissue. If you are a medical professional interested exploring electrochemotherapy as a treatment option for your melanoma or other cancer patients, contact us today!
i Melanoma Institute Australia. Melanoma Treatment. https://melanoma.org.au/for-patients/melanoma-treatment/ [Accessed October 2024]
ii Melanoma of the skin. Treatment options. Australian Government. Cancer Australia. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/melanoma/treatment#:~:text=Radiation%20therapy%20is%20not%20usually,to%20the%20brain%20or%20bones. [Accessed October 2024]
iii Strojan P. Role of radiotherapy in melanoma management. Radiol Oncol. 2010 Mar;44(1):1-12. doi: 10.2478/v10019-010-0008-x. Epub 2010 Mar 18. PMID: 22933884; PMCID: PMC3423668.
iv Möller MG, Salwa S, Soden DM, O'Sullivan GC. Electrochemotherapy as an adjunct or alternative to other treatments for unresectable or in-transit melanoma. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2009 Nov;9(11):1611-30. doi: 10.1586/era.09.129. PMID: 19895245.
v Wichtowski M, Murawa D. Electrochemotherapy in the treatment of melanoma. Contemp Oncol (Pozn). 2018;22(1):8-13. doi: 10.5114/wo.2018.74387. Epub 2018 Apr 3. PMID: 29692657; PMCID: PMC5909724.
Disclaimer:
The content of this blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Treatment options and outcomes may vary based on individual patient needs and clinical circumstances. Healthcare professionals should always be consulted for personalised medical advice before pursuing any diagnosis, treatment, or medical procedure.