Palliative Luminal Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Using Endoscopic Calcium-Electroporation: First Case Series from United Kingdom

TL;DR

This paper reports on a new, less invasive treatment for colorectal cancer in frail patients using endoscopic calcium-electroporation, showing it is safe and effective for symptom relief.

Contribution

The first UK case series demonstrating the safety and efficacy of endoscopic calcium-electroporation for palliative treatment of inoperable colorectal cancer.

Findings

Endoscopic calcium-electroporation provided symptomatic relief and improved quality of life in 86.7% of frail CRC patients.

No device-related adverse events were recorded, and transfusion/iron infusion needs were reduced by 91.7%.

Median cancer-specific survival was 10 months with a 94% survival rate during the study period.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy, the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality, and the third most prevalent tumor. Around 20% of cases are metastatic or inoperable at diagnosis, often requiring palliative treatment, which may not be feasible in frail patients. Calcium-electroporation, a less invasive alternative, induces cell death via apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis. This study is the first in the United Kingdom to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic calcium-electroporation in palliating distal CRC. Methods: Frail patients with inoperable left-sided CRC were included. The diagnosis and staging followed standard guidelines, while frailty was assessed using the performance status (PFS), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. Calcium electroporation was performed via a flexible endoscopy usually under sedation, with symptom relief, quality of life (QoL), survival, and adverse events (AE) monitored. Results: Sixteen patients (median age 84.5) underwent 36 treatments with electroporation over 28 months (November 2022 to March 2025). The incidence of common symptoms was rectal bleeding (75%), constipation (25%), and pain (75%). Nine patients had metastases and three had failed conventional treatments. Symptomatic relief and an improved QoL occurred in 86.7%, with transfusion/iron infusion needs reduced by 91.7%. The median cancer-specific survival was 10 months, with a 94% survival rate. No device-related AE was recorded. One patient died after 11 months due to disease progression while two patients passed away from other medical conditions. Conclusions: Endoscopic calcium electroporation is a safe, palliative option effective for tumor reduction and symptomatic relief in frail CRC patients unfit for conventional therapies.

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