title: Electrochemotherapy of cutaneous metastases of melanoma--a case series study and systematic review of the evidence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases of malignant melanoma. During the treatment, electric pulses are applied to tumor nodules to deliver nonpermeant or poorly permeant chemotherapeutic agents into the cells, increasing local cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs. We compared the clinical effectiveness of ECT as an alternative palliative treatment option for unresectable metastatic lesions of malignant melanoma with a systematic review of reported outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty-eight cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases of nine patients were treated with ECT. All treatments were performed under general anesthesia using intravenous bleomycin injection. Median follow-up was 195 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our case series, complete response rate was 23%, and partial response rate was 39%. We observed no change in 30% and progressive disease in 8% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ECT is a simple and effective treatment of single or multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases of melanoma with minimal side effects. Our results provide further data for the growing body of evidence in recently published studies that ECT used for palliation has clinical benefit. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
authors: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary. plasztika@yahoo.com
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Kis
authors: Judit
authors: J
authors: Oláh
authors: Henriette
authors: H
authors: Ócsai
authors: Eszter
authors: E
authors: Baltas
authors: Rolland
authors: R
authors: Gyulai
authors: Lajos
authors: L
authors: Kemény
authors: Andrea Rita
authors: AR
authors: Horvath