title: Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation of Prostate Tissue in Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Phase 1 Clinical Trial.
abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (MRI-TULSA) is a novel minimally invasive technology for ablating prostate tissue, potentially offering good disease control of localized cancer and low morbidity.
  
  
  
  To determine the clinical safety and feasibility of MRI-TULSA for whole-gland prostate ablation in a primary treatment setting of localized prostate cancer (PCa).
  
  
  
  A single-arm prospective phase 1 study was performed at three tertiary referral centers in Canada, Germany, and the United States. Thirty patients (median age: 69 yr; interquartile range [IQR]: 67-71 yr) with biopsy-proven low-risk (80%) and intermediate-risk (20%) PCa were treated and followed for 12 mo.
  
  
  
  MRI-TULSA treatment was delivered with the therapeutic intent of conservative whole-gland ablation including 3-mm safety margins and 10% residual viable prostate expected around the capsule.
  
  
  
  Primary end points were safety (adverse events) and feasibility (technical accuracy and precision of conformal thermal ablation). Exploratory outcomes included quality of life, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and biopsy at 12 mo.
  
  
  
  Median treatment time was 36min (IQR: 26-44) and prostate volume was 44ml (IQR: 38-48). Spatial control of thermal ablation was ±1.3mm on MRI thermometry. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events included hematuria (43% grade [G] 1; 6.7% G2), urinary tract infections (33% G2), acute urinary retention (10% G1; 17% G2), and epididymitis (3.3% G3). There were no rectal injuries. Median pretreatment International Prostate Symptom Score 8 (IQR: 5-13) returned to 6 (IQR: 4-10) at 3 mo (mean change: -2; 95% confidence interval [CI], -4 to 1). Median pretreatment International Index of Erectile Function 13 (IQR: 6-28) recovered to 13 (IQR: 5-25) at 12 mo (mean change: -1; 95% CI, -5 to 3). Median PSA decreased 87% at 1 mo and was stable at 0.8 ng/ml (IQR: 0.6-1.1) to 12 mo. Positive biopsies showed 61% reduction in total cancer length, clinically significant disease in 9 of 29 patients (31%; 95% CI, 15-51), and any disease in 16 of 29 patients (55%; 95% CI, 36-74).
  
  
  
  MRI-TULSA was feasible, safe, and technically precise for whole-gland prostate ablation in patients with localized PCa. Phase 1 data are sufficiently compelling to study MRI-TULSA further in a larger prospective trial with reduced safety margins.
  
  
  
  We used magnetic resonance imaging-guided transurethral ultrasound to heat and ablate the prostate in men with prostate cancer. We showed that the treatment can be targeted within a narrow range (1mm) and has a well-tolerated side effect profile. A larger study is under way.
  
  
  
  NCT01686958, DRKS00005311.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada. Electronic address: joseph.chin@lhsc.on.ca.
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.affiliation: University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Billia
authors.affiliation: Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Relle
authors.affiliation: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Roethke
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ionel V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Popeneciu
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Timur H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kuru
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Gencay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hatiboglu
authors.affiliation: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Maya B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Mueller-Wolf
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Motsch
authors.affiliation: University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.affiliation: University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kassam
authors.affiliation: University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Harle
authors.affiliation: Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hafron
authors.affiliation: Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Kiran R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Nandalur
authors.affiliation: University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Blaine A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Chronik
authors.affiliation: Profound Medical Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burtnyk
authors.affiliation: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Heinz-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Schlemmer
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pahernik
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D004823:Epididymitis / Q000209:etiology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006417:Hematuria / Q000209:etiology; D057086:High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D010410:Penile Erection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen
keywords: Image-guided intervention; Magnetic resonance imaging; Minimally invasive; Phase 1 clinical trial; Prostate cancer; Transurethral; Ultrasound ablation