Calcium Electroporation of Equine Sarcoids.
Authors: Frandsen Stine K, Gehl Julie, Tramm Trine, Thoefner Martin S
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Calcium Electroporation for Equine Sarcoids: A Promising Alternative to Conventional Treatment Equine sarcoids present a persistent clinical challenge due to their high recurrence rates following standard therapies, driving the search for novel treatment modalities. Researchers treated 32 sarcoids across eight horses using calcium electroporation—a technique where calcium chloride injection is followed by short, high-voltage electrical pulses to create lethal intracellular calcium concentrations—with treatments administered under general anaesthesia and lesions monitored for 12–38 weeks post-procedure. Complete resolution occurred in 22% of sarcoids with a further 22% showing partial response, yielding a 44% overall response rate; notably, all four non-biopsied lesions demonstrated complete response, suggesting that biopsy sampling itself may compromise treatment outcomes. Response was independent of sarcoid location, histological type, or initial size, and the technique proved safe and feasible even for surgically inaccessible lesions, though most horses required two treatment sessions. Whilst the cohort was small and response rates are modest compared to conventional excision, calcium electroporation warrants further investigation as a valuable option for inoperable sarcoids and horses with multiple lesions, particularly given the apparent absence of significant adverse effects and the potential advantage of avoiding general anaesthesia complications associated with extensive surgical removal.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Calcium electroporation offers a new treatment option for equine sarcoids, including inoperable cases, with acceptable safety profile and 44% response rate
- •The technique requires general anesthesia and injection of calcium chloride followed by electroporation pulses, making it accessible to equine practitioners with appropriate facilities
- •Biopsy sampling may reduce treatment efficacy, suggesting careful consideration of diagnostic biopsy timing relative to therapeutic intervention
Key Findings
- •Calcium electroporation resulted in a 44% total response rate (22% complete response, 22% partial response) in treated equine sarcoids
- •Treatment was safe and feasible, with horses requiring one or two treatments under general anesthesia
- •All non-biopsied lesions showed complete response (4/4), while biopsied lesions showed lower response rates
- •Treatment efficacy was not related to sarcoid location, type, or size