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Annals of Surgical Oncology
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology 1/2012

01-01-2012 | Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas

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

Authors: Pietro Curatolo, MD, Pietro Quaglino, MD, Federica Marenco, MD, Monica Mancini, MD, Tiziana Nardò, MD, Claudio Mortera, MD, Roberta Rotunno, MD, Stefano Calvieri, MD, Maria Grazia Bernengo, MD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

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.

Methods

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.

Results

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.

Conclusions

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.
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Metadata
Title
Electrochemotherapy in the Treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma Cutaneous Lesions: A Two-Center Prospective Phase II Trial
Authors
Pietro Curatolo, MD
Pietro Quaglino, MD
Federica Marenco, MD
Monica Mancini, MD
Tiziana Nardò, MD
Claudio Mortera, MD
Roberta Rotunno, MD
Stefano Calvieri, MD
Maria Grazia Bernengo, MD
Publication date
01-01-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-011-1860-7

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