VEGF Expression, Cellular Infiltration, and Intratumoral Collagen Levels after Electroporation-Based Treatment of Dogs with Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of skin cancer in tropical countries and is generally associated with exposure to solar ultraviolet light. It has a low metastatic rate, and local treatments, such as electrochemotherapy (ECT), promote long-term control or even complete remission. This study aimed to evaluate pre- and post-ECT treatment expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD31, cellular infiltration, and intratumoral collagen levels in dogs with cutaneous SCC. A prospective nonrandomized clinical study was performed using dogs with spontaneous SCC treated with ECT. Eighteen lesions from 11 dogs were included in the study. The expression levels of VEGF and CD31; cellular infiltration; and intratumoral collagen levels, as determined by Masson's trichrome staining, were not significantly different from pre-treatment measurements on day 21 (p > 0.05). However, among cellular infiltration, the mixed subtype was correlated with better overall survival time when compared to lymphoplasmacytic and neutrophilic infiltration (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ECT had no effect on VEGF expression, cellular infiltration, or intratumoral collagen levels in dogs with cutaneous SCC at the time of evaluation, suggesting that early and late post-ECT-treatment phases should be considered.

Response dataset from canine extramedullary plasmacytoma treated with lipophobic drugs enhanced by electroporation.

Over the past 15 years, lipophobic drugs, such as bleomycin and cisplatin, have been used combined with electroporation, which promotes their uptake through the cell membrane. The present data describe general findings following electrochemotherapy and how plasmacytomas can respond to this technique. We will explain and illustrate specific outcomes during the remission process. The data presented here can be useful for researchers, veterinarians, and pet owners. Furthermore, the data could be useful for other cutaneous or oral tumors in which electrochemotherapy may be indicated. Interpretation of the data and outcomes may be found in the research article entitled "Outcome following curative-intent electrochemotherapy for extramedullary plasmocytoma in dogs - case reports ."

Outcome Following Curative-Intent Electrochemotherapy for Extramedullary Plasmocytoma in Dogs - Case Reports.

Plasma cell tumors can occur as solitary collections referred as extramedullary plasmocytoma (EMP). The present report describes four cases of EMP treated with a local nonthermal ablative approach. Four dogs were diagnosed with extramedullary plasmocytomas (EMP) in different body regions (oral cavity, digits, and lip). Since surgical excision was declined by the owners (maxillectomy; amputation or lip reconstruction), a curative-intent approach was indicated as solely treatment- electrochemotherapy (ECT). All the patients received ECT under general anesthesia using bleomycin intravenously (15,000 UI/m²) or cisplatin intratumorally (1mg/cm³). All dogs developed transitory ulceration and swelling one-week after procedure that completely healed within 30 days post-ECT. Complete remission was achieved in all cases and lasted for 515 (oral case), 695 (one digit), 90 (another digit case) and 240 (lip) days. These results suggested that ECT promoted remission in EMP cases being a possibility for local control in dogs affected by this disease.

Electrochemotherapy induces tumor regression and decreases the proliferative index in canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common skin cancer in dogs, and, due to its low metastatic rate, local treatments, such as electrochemotherapy (ECT), promote disease control or even complete remission (CR). This study aimed to evaluate the gene and protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX), the proliferative index and clinical parameters in dogs with cSCC subjected to ECT. A prospective nonrandomized clinical study was performed using dogs with naturally occurring cSCC that was treated with ECT. Eighteen lesions from 11 dogs were selected. The tumor size at day 0 (D0) had no impact on survival or prognosis (P > 0.05). Tumor samples had a lower proliferative index after ECT (D21) than before ECT (P = 0.031). The survival of subjects with Ki67 values lower and higher than the Ki67 median value were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Regarding apoptotic markers, there were no significant differences in the gene and protein expression levels of BAX or Bcl-2 at D0 and D21 (P > 0.05) or in the overall survival of subjects with different levels of apoptotic markers. In conclusion, there was no change in BAX or Bcl-2 gene and protein expression in response to ECT at the time points evaluated, but ECT was able to reduce tumor volume and cellular proliferation in cSCC.

Non-small cell lung cancer stage IV long-term survival with isolated spleen metastasis.

Splenic metastasis is rare and generally associated with disseminated disease, often seen in breast cancer, colorectal and ovarian carcinoma, and melanoma. Isolated metastasis to the spleen is rare, with only 93 cases from all sources having been reported up to 2007. Moreover, isolated splenic metastasis from primary lung cancer is extremely rare, with only 11 cases reported to date. We report a case of isolated splenic metastasis in a woman 8 months after lobectomy for an adenocarcinoma in the right lung completely resected. After 8 years of follow-up, the patient is still alive with no evidence of metastatic recurrence.