Calcium electroporation for recurrent head and neck cancer: A clinical phase I study

Background Calcium electroporation is a novel cancer treatment, which combines temporary cell permeability from electroporation with a high influx of calcium intracellularly resulting in cancer cell necrosis. Methods A phase I trial performing calcium electroporation on 6 patients suffering from recurrent head and neck cancer. In general anesthesia, intratumoral calcium injections were followed by electroporation. Safety was monitored by adverse events registration, serum Ca2+, ECG, and pain scores. Tumor response was measured on PET/MRI scans. Results Procedures were performed without complications. No serious adverse events, signs of hypercalcemia, or cardiac arrhythmias were observed. Two months post-treatment tumor responses on MRI: three partial responses, one stable disease, and two progression. Responses on PET: one partial metabolic disease, four with stable metabolic disease, and one not evaluable. One patient was without clinical evidence of disease after 12 months of observation. Conclusion Calcium electroporation is feasible and safe in head and neck tumors. Clinical responses were observed in three of six patients, warranting further studies. Level of evidence Level 4.