New Technology Enhances Skin Cancer Treatment at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has introduced high-frequency electrochemotherapy (HF-ECT) as part of its treatment options for patients with cutaneous and subcutaneous cancers, including melanoma and other skin cancers.
The therapy combines low-dose, localised chemotherapy with high-frequency electrical pulses to enhance drug uptake in tumour tissue. Delivered through the ePORE Generator, the CUTIS electrode enables targeted electrical pulses to penetrate tissue up to 2cm deep, significantly improving drug absorption via electroporation.
One of the key advantages of the high-frequency approach is patient comfort. The procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia, making it minimally invasive and reducing both risk and recovery time.
Clinical outcomes with HF-ECT have been promising:
- Studies show a 91.3% overall lesion response rate, with 79% of cases achieving complete response
- In one case treated at Peter MacCallum, the lesion underwent complete regression, with the tumour tissue naturally resolving and leaving behind healthy, healed skin
Real-World Success Stories
Dr. Hayden Snow, a clinician at Peter MacCallum, shared two remarkable patient stories that highlight the transformative potential of HF-ECT:
- A 103-year-old woman with a painful squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on her leg faced the prospect of a major skin graft, which she was reluctant to undergo due to her age. Instead, she received a 15-minute HF-ECT procedure—so comfortable she fell asleep during it. The SCC completely disappeared, and she celebrated her 104th birthday cancer-free.
- A 93-year-old man with multiple recurrences of unresectable in-transit melanoma on his scalp was unable to receive immunotherapy due to an underlying immunological condition. Dr. Snow treated symptomatic lesions with HF-ECT every few months. After three treatments targeting 12 lesions, not only did the treated lesions regress, but so did the untreated ones. The patient is now melanoma-free, suggesting HF-ECT may have stimulated a systemic immune response.
These stories underscore the therapy’s potential to deliver life-changing outcomes, even for patients with limited treatment options.
A Step Forward in Cancer Innovation
The adoption of HF-ECT represents a significant advancement in the management of difficult-to-treat skin cancers, offering healthcare providers an additional tool to deliver precise, localised, and effective treatment. By integrating HF-ECT into clinical practice, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre continues to strengthen its position at the forefront of cancer innovation, advancing both patient care and treatment outcomes.
“Endotherapeutics is proud to be at the forefront of cancer innovation. HF-ECT exemplifies how targeted, minimally invasive technologies can redefine treatment standards and improve quality of life for patients across Australia.”
Adam Srejber, CEO Endotherapeutics
