EDAP TMS S.A., a leader in robotic energy-based therapies, has recently published encouraging pre-clinical results in the peer-reviewed journal Cancers. The study focuses on the use of intraoperative high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation for treating locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPA), a highly aggressive form of cancer with a dismal five-year survival rate of less than 5%.
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Study Overview: The research, titled Intraoperative HIFU Ablation of the Pancreas Using a Toroidal Transducer in a Porcine Model, explores the feasibility of HIFU under Doppler guidance to treat pancreatic tissue and surrounding areas in an animal model. This method aims to provide a new therapeutic avenue for LAPA, which currently lacks effective treatment options beyond palliative chemotherapy.
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Key Findings: The study demonstrated that HIFU treatments could induce irreversible tissue necrosis in just a few seconds by generating intense heat in the targeted area. This breakthrough paves the way for a Phase I study to assess the safety and feasibility of HIFU in human patients with LAPA.
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Expert Commentary: Marc Oczachowski, EDAP’s Chairman and CEO, expressed optimism about the potential of HIFU as a viable treatment for pancreatic cancer and other severe conditions with limited treatment options. The collaboration between EDAP, Inserm, and Centre Leon Bérard is crucial in advancing HIFU technology to offer patients a potentially effective treatment alternative.
This study marks a significant milestone in the quest for innovative treatments for pancreatic cancer, offering hope for improved outcomes for patients with this challenging disease.