Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy.
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences-DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Curr Oncol. 2024 Oct 21;31(10):6433-6444. doi: 10.3390/curroncol31100478.
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an emerging therapeutic approach gaining growing interest for its potential immunomodulatory effects in cancer treatment. This narrative review systematically examines the current state of knowledge regarding the interplay between ECT and the immune system. Through an analysis of preclinical and clinical studies, the review highlights ECT capacity to induce immunogenic cell death, activate dendritic cells, release tumor antigens, trigger inflammatory responses, and occasionally manifest systemic effects-the abscopal phenomenon. These mechanisms collectively suggest the ECT potential to influence both local tumor control and immune responses. While implications for clinical practice appear promising, warranting the consideration of ECT as a complementary treatment to immunotherapy, the evidence remains preliminary. Consequently, further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, optimize treatment protocols, explore potential synergies, and decipher the parameters influencing the abscopal effect. As the field advances, the integration of ECT's potential immunomodulatory aspects into clinical practice will need careful evaluation and collaboration among clinical practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
电化学疗法（ECT）是一种新兴的治疗方法，因其在癌症治疗中的潜在免疫调节作用而引起越来越多的关注。本综述系统地研究了目前关于 ECT 与免疫系统相互作用的知识现状。通过对临床前和临床研究的分析，该综述强调了 ECT 诱导免疫原性细胞死亡、激活树突状细胞、释放肿瘤抗原、引发炎症反应以及偶尔表现出全身效应（远隔效应）的能力。这些机制共同表明 ECT 具有影响局部肿瘤控制和免疫反应的潜力。虽然临床实践的影响似乎很有前景，值得考虑将 ECT 作为免疫疗法的补充治疗，但证据仍然是初步的。因此，需要进一步研究来阐明潜在的机制、优化治疗方案、探索潜在的协同作用，并解读影响远隔效应的参数。随着该领域的发展，将 ECT 的潜在免疫调节方面纳入临床实践需要临床医生、研究人员和政策制定者之间进行仔细的评估和合作。
