Immune cell populations in the tumour environment following calcium electropora-tion for cutaneous metastasis: a histopathological study.
Acta Oncol
; 63: 398-410, 2024 May 28.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38804839
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Calcium electroporation (CaEP) involves injecting calcium into tumour tissues and using electrical pulses to create membrane pores that induce cell death. This study assesses resultant immune responses and histopathological changes in patients with cutaneous metastases. PATIENTS/MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
The aimed cohort comprised 24 patients with metastases exceeding 5 mm. Tumours were treated once with CaEP (day 0) or twice (day 28). Biopsies were performed on days 0 and 2, with additional samples on days 7, 28, 30, 35, 60, and 90 if multiple tumours were treated. The primary endpoint was the change in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) two days post-treatment, with secondary endpoints evaluating local and systemic immune responses via histopathological analysis of immune markers, necrosis, and inflammation.RESULTS:
Seventeen patients, with metastases primarily from breast cancer (14 patients), but also lung cancer (1), melanoma (1), and urothelial cancer (1), completed the study. Of the 49 lesions treated, no significant changes in TIL count or PD-L1 expression were observed. However, there was substantial necrosis and a decrease in FOXP3-expression (p = 0.0025) noted, with a slight increase in CD4+ cells but no changes in CD3, CD8, or CD20 expressions. Notably, four patients showed reduced tumour invasiveness, including one case of an abscopal response.INTERPRETATION:
This exploratory study indicates that CaEP can be an effective anti-tumour therapy potentially enhancing immunity. Significant necrosis and decreased regulatory lymphocytes were observed, although TIL count remained unchanged. Several patients exhibited clinical signs of immune response following treatment.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Skin Neoplasms
/
Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating
/
Tumor Microenvironment
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Acta Oncol
Journal subject:
NEOPLASIAS
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article