Veterinary Guidelines for Electrochemotherapy of Superficial Tumors.
Authors: Tellado Matías, Mir Lluis M, Maglietti Felipe
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) combines controlled electric pulses with chemotherapeutic drugs—typically intravenous bleomycin, though cisplatin and calcium are alternatives—to enhance cellular uptake of these agents directly into tumour tissue, offering a valuable addition to the veterinary oncologist's toolkit for both palliative and curative intent in superficial and oral lesions. This 2022 guideline paper synthesises best-practice protocols for ECT delivery, addressing technical execution, drug selection, electrode positioning, and session frequency to maximise efficacy whilst minimising complications and treatment burden. The evidence indicates that a single ECT session frequently achieves excellent tumour response across various histological types, with repeat treatments reserved for incompletely resolved or extensive lesions; intravenous bleomycin emerges as the gold standard administration route, though alternative drugs and delivery methods retain value in selected cases. For equine practitioners—whether veterinarians considering oncological referrals, farriers noting suspicious lesions on the lower limb, or physiotherapists managing post-treatment rehabilitation—understanding ECT's accessibility and efficacy as a minimally invasive option may alter clinical decision-making and improve client communication around prognosis and treatment timelines. The paper's practical focus on common procedural pitfalls and troubleshooting strategies means it functions as both a theoretical foundation and a working reference for clinicians developing or refining their ECT practice.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •ECT offers a valuable treatment option for accessible superficial and oral tumors with potential for curative rather than just palliative outcomes
- •Proper technique execution minimizes number of sessions needed and reduces complications; follow guidelines carefully for optimal results
- •Intravenous bleomycin is recommended as first-line chemotherapeutic agent; reserve alternative drugs and routes for specific cases
Key Findings
- •Electrochemotherapy (ECT) with electric pulses and chemotherapeutic drugs (bleomycin, cisplatin, or calcium) is an effective and safe treatment for superficial and oral tumors of any histology
- •Single ECT session is usually sufficient to achieve excellent results, though multiple sessions may be needed for extensive or incompletely treated lesions
- •Intravenous bleomycin is the preferred drug and route of administration for ECT in veterinary oncology