Combination of Electrochemotherapy with Radiotherapy: A Comprehensive, Systematic, PRISMA-Compliant Review of Efficacy and Potential Radiosensitizing Effects in Tumor Control
Radiotherapy (RT) and electrochemotherapy (ECT) are established local treatments for cancer. While effective, both therapies have limitations, especially in treating bulky and poorly oxygenated tumors. ECT has emerged as a promising palliative treatment, raising interest in exploring its combination...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Current Oncology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/30/11/719 |
| _version_ | 1827640129168080896 |
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| author | Martina Ferioli Anna M. Perrone Milly Buwenge Alessandra Arcelli Maria Vadala’ Bruno Fionda Maria C. Malato Pierandrea De Iaco Claudio Zamagni Silvia Cammelli Luca Tagliaferri Alessio G. Morganti |
| author_facet | Martina Ferioli Anna M. Perrone Milly Buwenge Alessandra Arcelli Maria Vadala’ Bruno Fionda Maria C. Malato Pierandrea De Iaco Claudio Zamagni Silvia Cammelli Luca Tagliaferri Alessio G. Morganti |
| author_sort | Martina Ferioli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Radiotherapy (RT) and electrochemotherapy (ECT) are established local treatments for cancer. While effective, both therapies have limitations, especially in treating bulky and poorly oxygenated tumors. ECT has emerged as a promising palliative treatment, raising interest in exploring its combination with RT to enhance tumor response. However, the potential benefits and challenges of combining these treatments remain unclear. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane libraries were searched. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ten studies were included, comprising in vitro and in vivo experiments. Different tumor types were treated with ECT alone or in combination with RT. ECT plus RT demonstrated superior tumor response compared to that under single therapies or other combinations, regardless of the cytotoxic agent and RT dose. However, no study demonstrated a clear superadditive effect in cell survival curves, suggesting inconclusive evidence of specific ECT-induced radiosensitization. Toxicity data were limited. In conclusion, the combination of ECT and RT consistently improved tumor response compared to that with individual therapies, supporting the potential benefit of their combination. However, evidence for a specific ECT-induced radiosensitization effect is currently lacking. Additional investigations are necessary to elucidate the potential benefits of this combination therapy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:54:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-47063de65d664538b7a8d2c71af85275 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1198-0052 1718-7729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:54:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Oncology |
| spelling | doaj.art-47063de65d664538b7a8d2c71af852752023-11-24T14:37:14ZengMDPI AGCurrent Oncology1198-00521718-77292023-11-0130119895990510.3390/curroncol30110719Combination of Electrochemotherapy with Radiotherapy: A Comprehensive, Systematic, PRISMA-Compliant Review of Efficacy and Potential Radiosensitizing Effects in Tumor ControlMartina Ferioli0Anna M. Perrone1Milly Buwenge2Alessandra Arcelli3Maria Vadala’4Bruno Fionda5Maria C. Malato6Pierandrea De Iaco7Claudio Zamagni8Silvia Cammelli9Luca Tagliaferri10Alessio G. Morganti11Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyRadiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyRadiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyRadiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyNuclear Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, 00168 Roma, ItalyRadiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyRadiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyOncologia Medica Addarii, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyRadiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, 00168 Roma, ItalyRadiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyRadiotherapy (RT) and electrochemotherapy (ECT) are established local treatments for cancer. While effective, both therapies have limitations, especially in treating bulky and poorly oxygenated tumors. ECT has emerged as a promising palliative treatment, raising interest in exploring its combination with RT to enhance tumor response. However, the potential benefits and challenges of combining these treatments remain unclear. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane libraries were searched. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ten studies were included, comprising in vitro and in vivo experiments. Different tumor types were treated with ECT alone or in combination with RT. ECT plus RT demonstrated superior tumor response compared to that under single therapies or other combinations, regardless of the cytotoxic agent and RT dose. However, no study demonstrated a clear superadditive effect in cell survival curves, suggesting inconclusive evidence of specific ECT-induced radiosensitization. Toxicity data were limited. In conclusion, the combination of ECT and RT consistently improved tumor response compared to that with individual therapies, supporting the potential benefit of their combination. However, evidence for a specific ECT-induced radiosensitization effect is currently lacking. Additional investigations are necessary to elucidate the potential benefits of this combination therapy.https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/30/11/719electrochemotherapyelectroporationradiotherapyradiosensitivitysystematic review |
| spellingShingle | Martina Ferioli Anna M. Perrone Milly Buwenge Alessandra Arcelli Maria Vadala’ Bruno Fionda Maria C. Malato Pierandrea De Iaco Claudio Zamagni Silvia Cammelli Luca Tagliaferri Alessio G. Morganti Combination of Electrochemotherapy with Radiotherapy: A Comprehensive, Systematic, PRISMA-Compliant Review of Efficacy and Potential Radiosensitizing Effects in Tumor Control Current Oncology electrochemotherapy electroporation radiotherapy radiosensitivity systematic review |
| title | Combination of Electrochemotherapy with Radiotherapy: A Comprehensive, Systematic, PRISMA-Compliant Review of Efficacy and Potential Radiosensitizing Effects in Tumor Control |
| title_full | Combination of Electrochemotherapy with Radiotherapy: A Comprehensive, Systematic, PRISMA-Compliant Review of Efficacy and Potential Radiosensitizing Effects in Tumor Control |
| title_fullStr | Combination of Electrochemotherapy with Radiotherapy: A Comprehensive, Systematic, PRISMA-Compliant Review of Efficacy and Potential Radiosensitizing Effects in Tumor Control |
| title_full_unstemmed | Combination of Electrochemotherapy with Radiotherapy: A Comprehensive, Systematic, PRISMA-Compliant Review of Efficacy and Potential Radiosensitizing Effects in Tumor Control |
| title_short | Combination of Electrochemotherapy with Radiotherapy: A Comprehensive, Systematic, PRISMA-Compliant Review of Efficacy and Potential Radiosensitizing Effects in Tumor Control |
| title_sort | combination of electrochemotherapy with radiotherapy a comprehensive systematic prisma compliant review of efficacy and potential radiosensitizing effects in tumor control |
| topic | electrochemotherapy electroporation radiotherapy radiosensitivity systematic review |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/30/11/719 |
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