Electrochemotherapy-Induced Changes in Tumor Microenvironment in Cutaneous Melanoma
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Electrochemotherapy.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: MELANOMA, SKIN NEOPLASMS. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Slovenia
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Electrochemotherapy Induces Changes in Tumor Microenvironment of Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Metastases in Patients With Cutaneous Melanoma
Overview
Cutaneous melanoma frequently develops cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases, which may cause significant morbidity and negatively affect quality of life. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an established local treatment modality for cutaneous and subcutaneous tumor lesions that combines the administration of cytotoxic drugs with the application of electric pulses to increase drug uptake into tumor cells. In addition to its direct cytotoxic effects, electrochemotherapy may induce changes in the tumor microenvironment, including immune cell infiltration, vascular alterations, and other biological responses that could influence tumor control. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in the tumor microenvironment of cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases following electrochemotherapy with either intravenous bleomycin or intratumoral cisplatin. Tumor tissue samples collected before and after treatment will be analyzed to characterize microenvironmental changes and to compare treated and untreated lesions. The results of this study may improve understanding of biological effects of electrochemotherapy in melanoma metastases and support further development of treatment strategies.
Detailed description
This is a prospective interventional clinical study designed to investigate electrochemotherapy-induced changes in the tumor microenvironment of cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases.
Electrochemotherapy is a local treatment approach that combines electroporation with cytotoxic agents in order to increase intracellular drug delivery and enhance tumor cell death. The treatment is routinely used for superficial tumor lesions, including melanoma metastases, and can be performed using intravenous bleomycin or intratumoral cisplatin.
The primary objective of this study is to characterize changes in the tumor microenvironment in melanoma metastases following electrochemotherapy. Tumor tissue samples will be collected from untreated lesions and from lesions treated with electrochemotherapy. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses will be performed to evaluate changes in the tumor microenvironment, including cellular and stromal components, immune-related features, and other relevant biological markers.
The study will include patients with cutaneous melanoma presenting with cutaneous and/or subcutaneous metastases who are eligible for electrochemotherapy as part of their clinical management. Electrochemotherapy will be performed according to established clinical procedures using intravenous bleomycin or intratumoral cisplatin. Biopsy or surgical samples will be collected before and after treatment to enable comparative analyses of treated and untreated tumor tissue.
Collected clinical and pathological data will be used to assess associations between treatment-related microenvironmental changes and patient and lesion characteristics. The study aims to provide additional insight into biological effects of electrochemotherapy beyond local tumor control and may contribute to improved understanding of mechanisms involved in treatment response.
Interventions
- Procedure Electrochemotherapy
Electrochemotherapy is performed according to standard clinical procedures with application of electric pulses combined with administration of cytotoxic agents (intravenous bleomycin or intratumoral cisplatin) for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases.
Primary outcome measures
- Change in Tumor Microenvironment Biomarker Panel After Electrochemotherapy [Time frame: Baseline (pre-treatment) and post-treatment (up to 3 months after electrochemotherapy)]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Difference in Tumor Microenvironment Biomarkers Between Treated and Untreated Lesions [Time frame: Up to 3 months after electrochemotherapy]
- Local Tumor Control Rate After Electrochemotherapy [Time frame: Up to 12 months after electrochemotherapy]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Adults aged 18 years or older
- Histologically confirmed cutaneous melanoma
- Presence of cutaneous and/or subcutaneous metastases eligible for electrochemotherapy
- Candidate for electrochemotherapy with intravenous bleomycin or intratumoral cisplatin according to standard clinical practice
- Ability to provide written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Contraindication to electrochemotherapy or study drugs (bleomycin or cisplatin)
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Severe comorbidities preventing electrochemotherapy
- Inability to comply with study procedures
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- N/A
- Model
- Single group
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Slovenia · 1 center
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana — Ljubljana
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07404605 · OI-EKT-MEL-2023 · 0120-297/2023/3