A new grid electrode for electrochemotherapy treatment of large skin tumors

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a local anticancer treatment for superficial tumors which involves the administration of a chemotherapeutic drug followed by short, high-voltage pulses. Incipient clinical experience with breast cancer patients are encouraging, with a local complete response rate ranging from 50 to 90%. However, since many patients present with multiple or widespread metastases, ECT, despite its high local antitumor efficacy, need to be applied several times in order to complete treatment delivery or maintain tumor control during the follow-up. In this paper, we propose the prototype of a new grid electrode aimed at the improvement of ECT application. The device is suitable for treating large, tumor-infiltrated skin surfaces as in breast cancer patients with chest wall metastases after mastectomy. According to our tests in different in vitro models, the new device allows to apply the voltage pulses more quickly and homogeneously when compared with standard pulse applicators. This technical advancement holds promise for improving ECT outcome and, hopefully, for sparing a number of patients from the need of multiple treatments.