Journal of Clinical Trials
Open Access

Abstract

Electrochemotherapy in The Treatment of Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Cancer: The Synergistic Effect with Immunotherapy-A Series of Clinical Cases

Monia Specchia*, Denise Drittone, Eva Mazzotti* and Federica Mazzuca

Objective: In the current oncologic landscape, where immunotherapy plays a central role in the management of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers across various clinical settings, we explored the potential added value of Electrochemotherapy (ECT) as a loco-regional treatment. Can ECT, by enhancing the intracellular delivery of chemotherapeutic agents via reversible electroporation, offer synergistic benefits when integrated with systemic immunotherapeutic strategies? In this study we presented three cases of patients with advanced cutaneous malignancies treated with ECT in combination with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs), with the aim of exploring the therapeutic potential of this multimodal strategy.

Methods: Three patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma underwent one or more ECT procedures alongside systemic immunotherapy (cemiplimab or nivolumab). Clinical outcomes were assessed through radiological and clinical evaluations.

Results: All patients achieved a complete response, with sustained local and systemic disease control and good overall tolerability.

Discussions: These findings supported the hypothesis that ECT may potentiate the efficacy of immunotherapy by enhancing the immunogenicity of the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusions: The combination of ECT and immunotherapy appears to be a promising approach for patients with cutaneous malignancies, particularly in clinical settings where standard therapies are contraindicated or less effective. Further studies are warranted to optimize patient selection and treatment timing and to validate the synergistic potential of this therapeutic strategy.

Published Date: 2025-07-18; Received Date: 2025-06-16