Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an emerging treatment for cutaneous lesions of different tumor types. The combination of chemotherapy and electroporation enhances drug uptake into tumoral cells. However, its role in the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) has not yet been well defined, and to date, literature reports are scarce. We prospectively evaluated clinical activity and safety of ECT in KS patients. Twenty-three patients with histologically confirmed unresectable KS, not treatable by radiotherapy or intralesional vincristine therapy, were enrolled onto the study according to the European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy (ESOPE) guidelines and treated with a pulse generator. A response to the first ECT session was obtained in all patients, with a complete response (CR) in 14 (60.9%) of 23 patients. A second ECT was performed in 5 (21.7%) and a third in 2, with a median interval between two sessions of 5.1 (range 2.5-25.5) months. Overall, a total of 15 patients (65%) experienced a CR. After a median follow-up of 1.5 years (range 2 months to 4.2 years), 16 patients maintained the response, 4 after repeated courses. Sustained local control of treated lesions was present in 20 of 23 patients. The overall survival rate was 74.4% at 2 years. ECT represents an additional therapeutic tool for the management of KS cutaneous lesions, characterized by a definite clinical activity and long-lasting remissions. The absence of systemic side effects and the low impact on the immune system also make this treatment suitable for elderly people, even with repeated courses.

Electrochemotherapy in the Treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma Cutaneous Lesions: A Two-Center Prospective Phase II Trial / Curatolo, Pietro; Pietro, Quaglino; Federica, Marenco; Monica, Mancini; Tiziana, Nardo; Claudio, Mortera; Rotunno, Roberta; Calvieri, Stefano; Maria Grazia, Bernengo. - In: ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY. - ISSN 1068-9265. - 19:1(2012), pp. 192-198. [10.1245/s10434-011-1860-7]

Electrochemotherapy in the Treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma Cutaneous Lesions: A Two-Center Prospective Phase II Trial

CURATOLO, Pietro;ROTUNNO, ROBERTA;CALVIERI, Stefano;
2012

Abstract

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an emerging treatment for cutaneous lesions of different tumor types. The combination of chemotherapy and electroporation enhances drug uptake into tumoral cells. However, its role in the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) has not yet been well defined, and to date, literature reports are scarce. We prospectively evaluated clinical activity and safety of ECT in KS patients. Twenty-three patients with histologically confirmed unresectable KS, not treatable by radiotherapy or intralesional vincristine therapy, were enrolled onto the study according to the European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy (ESOPE) guidelines and treated with a pulse generator. A response to the first ECT session was obtained in all patients, with a complete response (CR) in 14 (60.9%) of 23 patients. A second ECT was performed in 5 (21.7%) and a third in 2, with a median interval between two sessions of 5.1 (range 2.5-25.5) months. Overall, a total of 15 patients (65%) experienced a CR. After a median follow-up of 1.5 years (range 2 months to 4.2 years), 16 patients maintained the response, 4 after repeated courses. Sustained local control of treated lesions was present in 20 of 23 patients. The overall survival rate was 74.4% at 2 years. ECT represents an additional therapeutic tool for the management of KS cutaneous lesions, characterized by a definite clinical activity and long-lasting remissions. The absence of systemic side effects and the low impact on the immune system also make this treatment suitable for elderly people, even with repeated courses.
2012
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Electrochemotherapy in the Treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma Cutaneous Lesions: A Two-Center Prospective Phase II Trial / Curatolo, Pietro; Pietro, Quaglino; Federica, Marenco; Monica, Mancini; Tiziana, Nardo; Claudio, Mortera; Rotunno, Roberta; Calvieri, Stefano; Maria Grazia, Bernengo. - In: ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY. - ISSN 1068-9265. - 19:1(2012), pp. 192-198. [10.1245/s10434-011-1860-7]
File allegati a questo prodotto
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/397666
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 22
  • Scopus 88
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 76
social impact