Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is indicated for canine and feline mast cell tumors (MCTs) when surgical excision is not feasible due to anatomic location, when margins are incomplete, or as an alternative to surgery for smaller lesions. Common anatomic indications include the head, periocular region, and hindlimb — sites where curative surgery would involve cosmetic or functional compromise. Veterinary and…

In dogs, ECT alone achieves complete response rates of 62–77%, with the highest local tumor control reported when ECT is combined with interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene electrotransfer (GET). ECT combined with peritumoral IL-12 GET achieves a complete response rate of 72% in canine MCTs. Veterinary and…+1 When IL-12 GET is delivered intratumorally rather than peritumorally, local tumor control, disease-free interval, and progression-free survival are all significantly better, making intratumoral IL-12 GET the preferred route when this combination is used. International I… ECT alone, ECT + peritumoral IL-12 GET, and ECT + intratumoral IL-12 GET represent three distinct tiers of efficacy, with the intratumoral combination performing best across all outcome measures. International I…

In cats, ECT with intravenous bleomycin at 15,000 IU/m² achieves complete resolution in all treated patients across a range of presentations, including multiple MCTs (7–50 nodules, 0.2–1 cm) and solitary large tumors up to 4.6 cm. Open Veterinary… No tumor recurrence was detected over follow-up periods ranging from 210 to 810 days, though one patient developed new lesions at day 210. Open Veterinary… One to two ECT sessions were required, with 14–45 days between sessions. Open Veterinary…

ECT is specifically recommended over tigilanol tiglate or electrochemotherapy in the periocular and mucosal regions of the head, where tigilanol tiglate and ECT are associated with pain, necrosis, open wounds, and scabbing lasting weeks — adverse effects that are particularly problematic near the conjunctiva. Journal of the… Local toxicity from ECT in canine MCT cases is graded 1–4 on a 5-point scale (0 = no toxicity, 5 = highest), with no severe or long-lasting side effects reported. Veterinary and…+1 In feline MCT cases, local toxicity is grade 1 (mild swelling) on a 6-point scale (0–5), with alopecia and scar tissue observed after complete remission. Open Veterinary…

ECT enhances drug uptake by an estimated 700-fold for bleomycin and 4–8 times for cisplatin, making low chemotherapy doses effective locally while limiting systemic exposure. Veterinary Clin… Bleomycin and cisplatin are the agents used; bleomycin is the most commonly reported drug in both canine and feline MCT protocols. Veterinary Clin…+2

The 2026 AAHA Oncology Guidelines list ECT as a recognized treatment option for canine cutaneous MCTs, alongside surgery, radiation therapy (RT), tigilanol tiglate, vinblastine-based chemotherapy, lomustine (CCNU), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and gilvetmab. AAHA Clinical G… For feline cutaneous MCTs, surgery remains the treatment of choice, with ECT representing a viable alternative for multiple, large, or surgically challenging tumors. Open Veterinary…+1

ModalityProtocolComplete Response RateKey Caveat
ECT alone (dogs)Bleomycin or cisplatin + electric pulses62–77%Best for smaller MCTs; intra-surgery group had best disease-free interval Veterinary and…+1
ECT + peritumoral IL-12 GET (dogs)ECT + peritumoral plasmid delivery72%Inferior local control vs. intratumoral route Veterinary and…+1
ECT + intratumoral IL-12 GET (dogs)ECT + intratumoral plasmid deliverySignificantly better than peritumoral (exact CR% not reported)Best disease-free interval and progression-free survival; response assessment at ≥2 months recommended International I…
ECT with IV bleomycin 15,000 IU/m² (cats)1–2 sessions, 14–45 days apart100% in reported casesSmall case series; one patient developed new lesions at day 210 Open Veterinary…
Tigilanol tiglate (dogs, comparator)Single intratumoral injection75% complete response at 1 month; 64% durable at 1 yearWound formation expected; avoid periocular/mucosal sites Journal of Vete…+1

Would you like to discuss the IL-12 GET protocol specifics — including plasmid dose, electroporation parameters, and timing relative to ECT?

1.
The treatment of canine mast cell tumours with electrochemotherapy with or without surgical excision.
Veterinary and Comparative Oncology.2017.Lowe R, Gavazza A, A Impellizeri J, et al.
2.
Efficacy and safety of electrochemotherapy combined with peritumoral IL-12 gene electrotransfer of canine mast cell tumours.
Veterinary and Comparative Oncology.2017.Cemazar M, Ambrozic Avgustin J, Pavlin D, et al.
5.
Successful treatment of cutaneous mast cell tumors in cats using electrochemotherapy: A case series.
Open Veterinary Journal.2025.Gustavo Alves Holanda A, Vargas Ruanova A, Pierluigi Spugnini E, et al.

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When is electrochemotherapy indicated for mast cell tumors… | VetChamp