NCT05961982

Brief Summary

This clinical trial evaluates the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) for the management of patients with pancreatic tumors (including cysts) performed during recommended surveillance endoscopic ultrasound examinations. Pancreatic tumors (cysts) can progress to pancreatic cancer at rate of more than 25% per year risk. Pancreatic cancer is a fatal disease that is difficult to diagnose at an early stage, and the five-year survival rate is currently less than 10%. It is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality by the year 2030. A procedure known as radiofrequency ablation may help. Radiofrequency ablation is an established way to treat benign and cancerous tumors in the human body. In the last 5 years, radiofrequency ablation has been applied to treat precancerous tumors (including cysts) in the pancreas. This procedure implements a medical technology that destroys tumors in a much less invasive way compared to traditional surgical removal. By delivering a high-frequency alternating current, radiofrequency ablation uses electrical energy and heat to destroy cancer cells. Radiofrequency ablation is being recognized as a management option in patients with high-risk pancreatic tumors (cysts) but are not deemed surgical candidates. While surgical removal offers a chance of cure, pancreatic surgeries have 20-40% morbidity rate (short and long-term complication) and a 1-2% mortality rate in patients who are surgical candidates. Furthermore, radiofrequency ablation can potentially decrease the need for frequent imaging/surveillance of the pancreatic tumor (cyst). In patients with immediate prohibitive, but reversible risks for surgery, radiofrequency ablation of a high-risk tumors (cysts) can potentially prevent further progression of the lesion and bridge the time before the need for surgical resection.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
84

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
32mo left

Started Apr 2023

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress53%
Apr 2023Dec 2028

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 24, 2023

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 11, 2023

Completed
16 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 27, 2023

Completed
4.4 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 31, 2027

Expected
1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 31, 2028

Last Updated

March 23, 2026

Status Verified

March 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

4.7 years

First QC Date

July 11, 2023

Last Update Submit

March 20, 2026

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA)

    Defined as at least a 50% decrease in the cyst diameter. Other markers of response to EUS-RFA will be evaluated by cross-sectional imaging and EUS: change in the diameter, morphology of cyst - fibrosis, septations, loculations, wall thickness, intracystic or mural nodules; cyst fluid aspiration (biopsy if there is fibrosis): next generation sequencing (NGS) - persistence or absence of mutations (molecular markers), cytology - results can include either: mucin, atypical/suspicious cells, necrotic material, or inflammatory debris, experimental: flow cytometry for immunological markers of antineoplastic response; serological changes: chromogranin A (for cystic-neuroendocrine tumor), and serum cancer antigen (CA) 19-9 (if elevated prior to intervention).

    At 1 years after EUS-RFA

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Long-term response to EUS-RFA

    At 2 and 3 years after EUS-RFA

  • Safety of EUS-guided RFA of pancreatic cystic neoplasms post procedure

    Post-procedure (after EUS-RFA)

  • Safety of EUS-guided RFA of pancreatic cystic neoplasms at one year

    at one year after EUS-RFA

Study Arms (1)

Treatment (EUS-RFA)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients undergo standard of care EUS-FNA followed by EUS-RFA on study and may undergo repeat EUS-RFA or EUS-guided chemoablation during surveillance. Patients undergo MRI/MRCP, CT, or EUS-FNA at baseline and at follow-up timepoints.

Procedure: Chemical AblationProcedure: Computed TomographyOther: Electronic Health Record ReviewProcedure: Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle AspirationProcedure: Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency AblationProcedure: Magnetic Resonance CholangiopancreatographyProcedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Interventions

Undergo CT

Also known as: CAT, CAT Scan, Computed Axial Tomography, Computerized Axial Tomography, Computerized axial tomography (procedure), Computerized Tomography, CT, CT Scan, tomography
Treatment (EUS-RFA)

Ancillary studies

Treatment (EUS-RFA)

Undergo EUS-RFA

Also known as: EUS-RFA
Treatment (EUS-RFA)

Undergo MRI/MRCP

Also known as: MRCP
Treatment (EUS-RFA)

Undergo MRI/MRCP

Also known as: Magnetic Resonance, Magnetic resonance imaging (procedure), Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan, Medical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, MR, MR Imaging, MRI, MRI Scan, NMR Imaging, NMRI, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Treatment (EUS-RFA)

Undergo EUS-guided chemoablation

Also known as: ABLATION, CHEMICAL
Treatment (EUS-RFA)

Undergo EUS-FNA

Also known as: endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, EUS-FNA
Treatment (EUS-RFA)

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Age \> 18 years
  • A diagnosis of a PCN confirmed by EUS-FNA including cyst fluid next generation sequencing (NGS) and/or EUS-guided needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) and/or EUS- guided through-the-needle biopsy (TTNB)
  • The pancreatic cystic lesion (PCL) measures at least 2 cm in diameter on either CT or MRI/MRCP or EUS and demonstrates concerning worrisome and/or high-risk features as defined by International Consensus Guidelines (2017 revised Fukuoka Guidelines)
  • The patient is not a surgical candidate. Common clinical scenarios include -
  • Cirrhosis of the liver (common clinical scenario)
  • Advanced ( \>= 75 years) age (common clinical scenario)
  • Morbid obesity
  • Significant cardiorespiratory comorbidity
  • Patient's choice (patient elects for non-surgical management)
  • Other significant comorbid conditions that impose prohibitive surgical risks
  • Estimated life expectancy of at least 1 year
  • Capable of giving written informed consent or has a legally authorized representative (LAR) to consent for them
  • Women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test (serum/urine) on the day of treatment. Pregnancy testing is the routine standard of care practice in the endoscopy laboratory for all patients undergoing endoscopy and sedation for endoscopy
  • The patient prefers non-surgical management after consultation with hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery
  • The patient is not a surgical candidate and has had prior attempts at ablation of the PCN by EUS-guided injection of chemotherapy (Ohio State University \[OSU\] Institutional Review Board \[IRB\] protocol 2020C0198)

You may not qualify if:

  • A diagnosis of a benign or non-neoplastic PCL such as a pseudocyst confirmed by EUS-FNA including cyst fluid NGS and/or EUS-nCLE and/or EUS-TTNB
  • A diagnosis of a malignant PCN confirmed by evidence of adenocarcinoma and/or invasive carcinoma and/or distant metastases
  • Cysts or neuroendocrine tumors (NETS) involving or in close proximity to blood vessels, the biliary tree, or the main pancreatic duct where the zone of ablation is likely to compromise these structures
  • Acute pancreatitis in the preceding 4 weeks prior to date of EUS-RFA
  • Any evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic diseases or laboratory finding that in the view of the investigator makes it unsafe for the patient to participate in the study
  • Any psychiatric disorder making reliable informed consent impossible
  • Pregnancy or breast-feeding
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 4
  • Contraindication to general anesthesia after review by OSU Preoperative Assessment Clinic (OPAC)
  • Cardiac implantable electrical devices

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

RECRUITING

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pancreatic Neoplasms

Interventions

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle AspirationMagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Digestive System NeoplasmsNeoplasms by SiteNeoplasmsEndocrine Gland NeoplasmsDigestive System DiseasesPancreatic DiseasesEndocrine System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Biopsy, Fine-NeedleBiopsy, NeedleBiopsyCytodiagnosisCytological TechniquesClinical Laboratory TechniquesDiagnostic Techniques and ProceduresDiagnosisImage-Guided BiopsySpecimen HandlingUltrasonography, InterventionalUltrasonographyDiagnostic ImagingDiagnostic Techniques, SurgicalSurgical Procedures, OperativeMinimally Invasive Surgical ProceduresInvestigative TechniquesSpectrum AnalysisChemistry Techniques, Analytical

Study Officials

  • Somashekar G Krishna, MD

    Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NA
Masking
NONE
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 11, 2023

First Posted

July 27, 2023

Study Start

April 24, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2028

Last Updated

March 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations