Dr. Erin Roof, DVM, DACFVIM, Board-Certified in Medical Oncology, Presented “Electrochemotherapy in Veterinary Medicine”
Electrochemotherapy (ECT), which is now offered at Animal Cancer Care Clinic’s (ACCC) Melbourne clinic, may provide some Animal Patients a faster, cost-effective option for cancer treatment.
The development of this technology began more than 40 years ago, when it was discovered that electrical fields could be applied to cell membranes to disrupt them and allow chemotherapy or other molecules to be inserted. It was a neat and practical method to improve the precise delivery of chemotherapy to fight cancer cells. With this approach, healthy cells are able to easily rebuild while the rapid growth of cancerous cells is disrupted, rendering them unable to regenerate.
According to Dr. Roof, who delivered a presentation on ECT to primary care veterinarians across Florida and the country as part of ACCC’s summer “How to Navigate through the Cancer Diagnosis” webinar series, initial studies in mice revealed the efficacy of using electrical pulses to destroy malignant cells.
Called electroporation, the process involves using high-intensity electric pulses to create pores (temporary or sometimes permanent) in cell membranes, allowing the delivery of molecules into cells. ECT works best on tumors that can be “seen and touched,” she explained. It can also be effective in treating scars from surgery and tumors that could not be fully removed with surgery.
The appropriate chemotherapy drug is inserted directly into the tumor or by intravenous route, followed by the application of electrical impulses to the tumor site. The trained veterinarian guides a small wand along the treated area. Advanced ECT machines automatically detect the proper doses via impedance by beeping and indicating that it is safe to move to a new location. This safety measure prevents over-treatment and unwanted side effects. The use of heat allows for maximum effectiveness with a low voltage.
Cats and dogs receiving ECT usually only require mild sedation and are good to go home soon after treatment. Side effects are commonly minimal and may include inflammation at the site and some pain with larger wounds.
Pre-treatment will vary depending on the type of cancer and may include blood work and chest x-rays. Shaving of the treatment area is required.
Research behind ECT, as of 2011, includes nearly 150 peer-reviewed studies with a meta-analysis of almost 2,000 tumors. Those studies found a 59.4% effective rate for a complete response and 84.1% for a complete or partial positive outcome.
One 2021 study looked at 61 cats with nasal planum squamous cell carcinoma and found a complete response of 65.6% and an overall response rate of 96.7%. The rate of recurrence was 22.5%. A 2019 clinical trial of 30 dogs found that 86% of the participants had no recurrence in a period of 149 to 1505 days. The median number of disease-free days was 857.
Although not appropriate for all cancer types, ECT is a quick outpatient procedure that has been found to have several benefits, including a high rate of positive response, minimal side effects, rapid recovery, and improved quality of life.
For information on how ECT may help your pet, please consult with your veterinary oncologist.