Targeted Microwave Focal Therapy

Focal therapy (FT) for prostate cancer (PCa) is an interesting therapeutic option for localized disease with a favorable low- to intermediate-risk profile. The aim of this approach is to offer a personalized and less aggressive treatment as compared to radical treatments such as radical prostatectomy (RP) or primary radiation therapy, reducing functional morbidity while maintaining oncologic efficiency.

FT is based on the treatment of a part of the prostate, containing the index lesion. Over 90% of PCa are multifocal, and unilateral disease is estimated to be present in only 20-40% of patients. Despite the multifocal nature of PCa, many affected men have just a single substantial lesion, which is called index lesion. Ohori et al determined that up to 80% of PCa volume arises through the index lesion. Clinically, vast evidence indicates that the index lesion features predict the behavior of the disease. Indeed, risk stratification of the index lesion predicts PCa outcomes, irrespectively from the presence of unilateral or bilateral disease, and most metastatic PCa arise from the cell clone of the index lesion. FT relies on the concept that residual PCa in the untreated area does not compromise long-term disease control, given that it falls into the criteria of active surveillance. The success of focal therapy strongly depends on the ability to detect the foci of PCa through multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), which has gained a paramount role in PCa diagnosis. Clinically significant prostatic lesions have features detectable at mpMRI and can be targeted with fusion biopsies, which combine the data coming from mpMRI and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) imaging. Data from PROMIS trial demonstrated MRI sensitivity of 93% for clinically significant cancer, and a meta-analysis by Moldovan et al showed a negative predictive value of mpMRI of 88.1%. A European consensus meeting suggested that mpMRI in combination of a systematic sampling achieves a negative predictive value of 90-95%. Bearing in mind the limitations of the mpMRI, however, to-date systematic biopsies are mandatory, to ensure the most accurate sampling possible, and any FT performed should consider a reasonable security margin.

For a successful treatment, patient selection is essential. Currently, the ideal candidates for FT should be patients harboring intermediate-risk PCa with favorable features and a limited component of Gleason score pattern 4. A 2015 consensus meeting stated that providing FT to patients with low-risk prostate cancer would represent overtreatment in men suitable for active surveillance. Furthermore, candidates for FT must have a life expectancy of more than 5 years and a WHO performance status of 0 or 1. In the last years, FT has solidly evolved from low-risk to intermediate-risk disease: since the first FT trials, more than 2700 patients have been treated, and this approach is now at the level of exploration of indications, quality control measures, and reproducibility in larger trials. In 2017, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) has shown the potential benefits of FT versus active surveillance in low-risk PCa in terms of cancer progression, secondary treatments, and negative biopsies at 2-yrs follow-up. In intermediate-risk PCa, another RCT of partial prostate ablation versus RP has completed the feasibility phase: the main study is set up, with the goal to prove the benefit of FT versus RP in terms of PCa mortality. In line with the recommendations of the 2015 consensus meeting, the investigators believe that suitable candidates for FT are those with a single small focus of Gleason score 7 (3+4) PCa, with possible limited adjunctive presence of clinically insignificant foci of Gleason score 6 (3+3) invisible to mpMRI. When speaking of FT for PCa, several energy modalities have been developed, including high-frequency ultrasound (HIFU), cryotherapy, laser interstitial thermotherapy, photodynamic therapy, irreversible electroporation, brachytherapy, and radiofrequency ablation. To date, studies were able to prove the feasibility, low morbidity profile, and satisfying short- and medium-term oncologic results of FT, mainly based on imaging and rebiopsy. Nevertheless, according to the last European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines, FT is still considered experimental, to be offered within a clinical trial. Recently, among energy modalities has emerged also a very low loss (VLL) microwave ablation system, called TATO3®, specifically developed to work with the fusion biopsy platform Koelis Trinity® that allows an accurate 3D reconstruction of the prostate, with the goal to offer a targeted treatment after a targeted biopsy. Aim of this experimental trial is to evaluate the efficacy of the Trinity®-guided TATO3® treatment in the ablation of the index lesion, together with the safety of the procedure and the short-term oncologic outcomes.

Since the 1980s, microwaves have been widely used for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Low intensity energy is applied to the entire organ to reduce the volume of the gland. Several studies have shown the safety of microwaves propagation through the prostate with transurethral, transperineal and transrectal accesses, while variable results have been achieved in terms of prostate volume reduction.

The treatment of PCa by microwaves requires the use of higher energy as compared to BPH treatment, in order to irreversibly denature tumor cells. A phase I/II clinical has been led since 1998 to investigate the safety and efficacy of transperineal microwave therapy for recurrent PCa following external beam radiation therapy. A preliminary result on 25 patients has shown a very low complication rate following the treatment, and good oncological results. Six months after the treatment, 64% of the biopsy result were negative. On the last update of 2004 with 41 patients enrolled, no serious complications were observed as a result of the procedure and, although mild continence problems were encountered, these were generally temporary.

TATO3® VLL microwave ablation system represents the last evolution in the field of microwave treatment for PCa. Following dry lab testing, it has been experimented in the animal setting on dogs. More recently, it has been used at Hôpital Cochin, Paris in the setting of clinical study, where preliminary results on 10 patients with low risk PCa showed an excellent safety profile of targeted focal microwave treatment for the ablation of index tumor. Final results are awaited this summer. Another study is ongoing in at Erasme Hospital, Brussels, treating patients already scheduled for radical prostatectomy, with the aim of examining the extension of the treated area and confirming the absence of cancerous cells. To-date, the treatment is well tolerated and efficacious.

Since 2015, the investigators have acquired a significant expertise in the field of prostate fusion biopsies, achieving outstanding cancer detection rates and improving the risk stratification of newly diagnosed PCa. This expertise has been gained using different platforms in commerce, from the Koelis Urostation® to the most recent Koelis Trinity®, and the investigators have reported the outcomes of these fusion biopsies on a multicentric series of more than 2.000 patients, the largest series of fusion biopsies ever published in the literature. The natural step forward would be the implementation of the Koelis bioptic platform with the possibility of delivering a focal treatment to the foci of PCa, which can be achieved with TATO3® microwave ablation system, minimizing side effects while maintaining cancer control.