Electrochemotherapy - Evidence for Cell-type Selectivity In Vitro.

Aim: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a new cancer treatment modality that uses electroporation to potentiate chemotherapeutic agents, especially bleomycin. ECT causes both a direct toxic effect and an anti-vascular effect. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible selective effect of ECT on the survival of fibroblasts, endothelial cells (HUVEC) and two squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (CAL-27 and SCC-4).

Materials And Methods: Cells were electroporated using two bleomycin concentrations. The survival rate was assessed 1, 2, 3 and 4 days after treatment, by two different assays.

Results: The survival rate of the fibroblasts was statistically significantly higher than the other cell lines at day 4. The HUVEC survival rate was statistically significantly lower than the other cell types at day 1 after electroporation-alone.

Conclusion: A selective survival effect after ECT was observed in vitro, supporting the anti-vascular effect seen in vivo.