Mihajlo Djokic1, Maja Cemazar2, Peter Popovic3, Bor Kos4, Rok Dezman3, Masa Bosnjak5, Martina Niksic Zakelj5, Damijan Miklavcic4, Stojan Potrc6, Borut Stabuc7, Ales Tomazic1, Gregor Sersa8, Blaz Trotovsek9. 1. University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Department of Abdominal Surgery, Zaloska 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. 2. Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Experimental Oncology, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia. 3. University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Institute of Radiology, Zaloska 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. 4. University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska 25, Ljubljana SI-1000, Slovenia. 5. Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Experimental Oncology, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. 6. University Clinical Centre Maribor, Department of Abdominal Surgery, Ljubljanska ulica 5, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia. 7. University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Department of Gastroenterology, Zaloska 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. 8. Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Experimental Oncology, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: gsersa@onko-i.si. 9. University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Department of Abdominal Surgery, Zaloska 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: blaz.trotovsek@kclj.si.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Electrochemotherapy provides non-thermal ablation of cutaneous as well as deep seated tumors. Based on positive results of the treatment of colorectal liver metastases, we conducted a prospective pilot study on hepatocellular carcinomas with the aim of testing the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of electrochemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin was performed on 17 hepatocellular carcinomas in 10 patients using a previously established protocol. The procedure was performed during open surgery and the patients were followed for median 20.5 months. RESULTS: Electrochemotherapy was feasible for all 17 lesions, and no treatment-related adverse events or major post-operative complications were observed. The median size of the treated lesions was 24 mm (range 8-41 mm), located either centrally, i.e., near the major hepatic vessels, or peripherally. The complete response rate at 3-6 months was 80% per patient and 88% per treated lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Electrochemotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma proved to be a feasible and safe treatment in all 10 patients included in this study. To evaluate the effectiveness of this method, longer observation period is needed; however the results at medium observation time of 20.5 months after treatment are encouraging, in 15 out of 17 lesions complete response was obtained. Electrochemotherapy is predominantly applicable in patients with impaired liver function due to liver cirrhosis and/or with lesions where a high-risk operation is needed to achieve curative intent, given the intra/perioperative risk for high morbidity and mortality.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Electrochemotherapy provides non-thermal ablation of cutaneous as well as deep seated tumors. Based on positive results of the treatment of colorectal liver metastases, we conducted a prospective pilot study on hepatocellular carcinomas with the aim of testing the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of electrochemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin was performed on 17 hepatocellular carcinomas in 10 patients using a previously established protocol. The procedure was performed during open surgery and the patients were followed for median 20.5 months. RESULTS: Electrochemotherapy was feasible for all 17 lesions, and no treatment-related adverse events or major post-operative complications were observed. The median size of the treated lesions was 24 mm (range 8-41 mm), located either centrally, i.e., near the major hepatic vessels, or peripherally. The complete response rate at 3-6 months was 80% per patient and 88% per treated lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Electrochemotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma proved to be a feasible and safe treatment in all 10 patients included in this study. To evaluate the effectiveness of this method, longer observation period is needed; however the results at medium observation time of 20.5 months after treatment are encouraging, in 15 out of 17 lesions complete response was obtained. Electrochemotherapy is predominantly applicable in patients with impaired liver function due to liver cirrhosis and/or with lesions where a high-risk operation is needed to achieve curative intent, given the intra/perioperative risk for high morbidity and mortality.
Authors: Francois H Cornelis; Helena Cindrič; Bor Kos; Masashi Fujimori; Elena N Petre; Damijan Miklavčič; Stephen B Solomon; Govindarajan Srimathveeravalli Journal: Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol Date: 2019-08-05 Impact factor: 2.740
Authors: Jan Zmuc; Gorana Gasljevic; Gregor Sersa; Ibrahim Edhemovic; Nina Boc; Alenka Seliskar; Tanja Plavec; Maja Brloznik; Nina Milevoj; Erik Brecelj; Bor Kos; Jani Izlakar; Tomaz Jarm; Marko Snoj; Marina Stukelj; Damijan Miklavcic; Maja Cemazar Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2019-03-06 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: K L Hoejholt; T Mužić; S D Jensen; L T Dalgaard; M Bilgin; J Nylandsted; T Heimburg; S K Frandsen; J Gehl Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2019-03-18 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Vincenza Granata; Roberta Fusco; Simona Salati; Antonella Petrillo; Elio Di Bernardo; Roberta Grassi; Raffaele Palaia; Ginevra Danti; Michelearcangelo La Porta; Matteo Cadossi; Gorana Gašljević; Gregor Sersa; Francesco Izzo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-24 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Nina Boc; Ibrahim Edhemovic; Bor Kos; Maja M Music; Erik Brecelj; Blaz Trotovsek; Masa Bosnjak; Mihajlo Djokic; Damijan Miklavcic; Maja Cemazar; Gregor Sersa Journal: Radiol Oncol Date: 2018-10-18 Impact factor: 2.991