MRI Guided Transurethral HIFU for Various Prostate Diseases (HIFU-PRO)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03350529 |
Recruitment Status : Unknown
Verified May 2021 by Turku University Hospital.
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
First Posted : November 22, 2017
Last Update Posted : May 10, 2021
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Localised Prostate Cancer Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia | Device: MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation of prostatic tissue | Not Applicable |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 90 participants |
Allocation: | Non-Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Intervention Model Description: | This study is an early phase 1 non-randomized prospective single-institutional and four arm study to determine the applicability, feasibility and safety of MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation of prostate separately in each pre-specified group/arm (10 patients per group). Due to the encouraging feasibility and safety results, an amendment was made to the original study protocol to increase the amount of salvage group patients and BPH group patients. With the approval of the ethics committee, the sample size of the salvage group and BPH group was increased to a total of 40 patients and 30 patients, respectively. |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Other |
Official Title: | Feasibility and Safety of Transurethral HIFU in Various Prostate Diseases; Particularly Prostate Cancer |
Actual Study Start Date : | July 24, 2017 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | December 2022 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | December 2022 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Localised PC prior to RP
MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation is targeted to MRI visible, biopsy proven, index lesion(s) within prostate and if possible with 5mm angular extension (imaging based healthy tissue marginal) to both sides from the tumour boundary in transverse plane and 5 mm in coronal plane. The ablative effect is aimed to reach prostate capsule by heating the control boundary (3 mm from capsule) to temperature 57 °C. The focal approach is intended to be radical as for index lesion.
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Device: MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation of prostatic tissue
The technology is developed to ablate targeted benign and malignant prostate tissue through transurethrally inserted probe that transmit ultrasound energy under MRI guidance and control. The therapeutic endpoint of this method is thermal coagulation of prostate tissue.
Other Name: TULSA-PRO (Profound Medical Inc), Device: PAD-105 |
Experimental: Symptomatic locally advanced PC
MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation is targeted to main prostatic malignant tumour squeezing and/or invading the prostatic urethra and/or bladder neck. The approach is intended to be palliative.
|
Device: MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation of prostatic tissue
The technology is developed to ablate targeted benign and malignant prostate tissue through transurethrally inserted probe that transmit ultrasound energy under MRI guidance and control. The therapeutic endpoint of this method is thermal coagulation of prostate tissue.
Other Name: TULSA-PRO (Profound Medical Inc), Device: PAD-105 |
Experimental: Locally recurrent PC after EBRT
MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation is targeted to MRI visible, biopsy proven, local recurrent index lesion(s) within and/or surrounding prostate and if possible with 5 mm angular extension to either side from the tumour boundary in transverse plane and 5 mm in coronal plane. The approach is intended to be focal and salvage. The whole-gland HIFU ablation approach will be considered in case of extensive organ confined recurrent prostate cancer (positive biopsies for malignancy from extensive/multiple area in prostate and/or extensive/multiple lesion(s) at baseline MRI) to cover whole prostate. |
Device: MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation of prostatic tissue
The technology is developed to ablate targeted benign and malignant prostate tissue through transurethrally inserted probe that transmit ultrasound energy under MRI guidance and control. The therapeutic endpoint of this method is thermal coagulation of prostate tissue.
Other Name: TULSA-PRO (Profound Medical Inc), Device: PAD-105 |
Experimental: Symptomatic BPH
MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation is targeted to adenomas of the prostate. The HIFU sector encompasses bilateral (anterolateral) transitional zones between bladder neck and verumontanum (colliculus seminalis).
|
Device: MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation of prostatic tissue
The technology is developed to ablate targeted benign and malignant prostate tissue through transurethrally inserted probe that transmit ultrasound energy under MRI guidance and control. The therapeutic endpoint of this method is thermal coagulation of prostate tissue.
Other Name: TULSA-PRO (Profound Medical Inc), Device: PAD-105 |
- Evaluate targeting accuracy of HIFU ablation separately in each study arm/group. [ Time Frame: The date of HIFU treatment ]
Quantitative analysis of targeting accuracy is defined as spatial difference between target prostate region in treatment planning phase and the target temperature isotherm (57°C) at the end of HIFU treatment on MRI thermometry. The measure used is dice similarity coefficient (DSC - unitless from 0 to 1) which is a statistical validation metric to measure the degree of spatial overlap between two regions.
The measure is a composite outcome measure reported as single value for each arm/group.
- Evaluate targeting accuracy volume of HIFU ablation separately in each study arm/group. [ Time Frame: The date of HIFU treatment ]
Quantitative analysis of targeting accuracy volume illustrates over- and under-treatment representing the amount of tissue ≥ target temperature 57°C outside the target volume and < target temperature 57°C inside the target volume, respectively.
Over- and under-treatment volumes are expressed as a % of the target volume.
The measure is a composite outcome measure reported as single value for each arm/group.
- Radiologically determined treatment accuracy of HIFU ablation in localised PC arm/group. [ Time Frame: 3-4 weeks from the treatment date ]Quantitative analysis of radiologically verified treatment accuracy; determined by comparing targeting volumes on MRI during treatment planning to immediate, 1 and 3 week NPV in CE-MRI following HIFU therapy. The ratio in percentage (%) between target prostate volume (ml) and NPV (ml) will be measured.
- Histopathologically determined treatment accuracy of HIFU ablation in localised PC arm/group. [ Time Frame: 3-4 weeks from the treatment date ]Qualitative analysis of treatment accuracy; determined by comparing both targeting volume on MRI during treatment planning and immediate, 1 and 3 weeks NPV following HIFU therapy separately to histopathologically verified coagulation necrosis volume from the removed prostate at 3 week after HIFU therapy. The ratio in percentage between target prostate volume (ml) and NPV (ml) to coagulative necrosis volume (ml) will be measured.
- Radiologically determined treatment accuracy of HIFU ablation in locally advanced PC arm/group. [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]
Quantitative analysis of treatment accuracy; determined by comparing targeting volume on MRI during treatment planning to immediate, 1 week and 12 months NPV in CE-MRI following HIFU therapy.
The ratio in percentage between target prostate volume (ml) and NPV (ml) will be measured.
- Radiologically determined treatment accuracy of HIFU ablation in locally recurrent PC after EBRT arm/group. [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]
Quantitative analysis of treatment accuracy; determined by comparing targeting volume on MRI during treatment planning to immediate, 1 week and 12 months NPV in CE-MRI following HIFU therapy.
The ratio in percentage between target prostate volume (ml) and non-perfused volume (ml) will be measured.
- Radiologically determined treatment accuracy of HIFU ablation in BPH arm/group. [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]Quantitative analysis of treatment accuracy; determined by comparing targeting volume on MRI during treatment planning to immediate, 1 week and 12 months NPV in CE-MRI following HIFU therapy. The ratio in percentage between target prostate volume (ml) and NPV (ml) will be measured.
- Safety of MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation in various prostate diseases [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]
Safety is determined in each group and all group together by evaluation of the frequency and severity of device/treatment related adverse events associated with the use of TULSA-PRO system to ablate prostate tissue. The severity of the adverse events are graded according to the Clavien-Dindo Classification of surgical complications.
The measure is a composite outcome measure reported as single value for each arm/group.
- Preliminary efficacy of HIFU ablation to achieve sufficient tumour control in patients having local recurrent PC after EBRT [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]Histopathological evaluation of the treatment response is based on 2-6-core biopsy results obtained from HIFU treated region/volume at 12 months. The number of biopsies taken is depended on the size and extension of the primary lesion treated with HIFU. The cognitive transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy method will be used to confirm histologically anticipated treatment success; coagulative necrosis/fibrosis/scar tissue of the prostate tissue. The outcome of biopsies (negativity/positivity for prostate cancer) will be measured. The proportion of patients with negative prostate biopsy will be measured at 12 months follow-up visit.
- Image based follow up following HIFU ablation [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]Evaluation and characterisation of image based follow up with repetitive mpMRI (Arm/group 1: immediate, 1 and 3 week, Arms/Groups 2, 3 and 4: immediate, 1 week, 12 month) after HIFU treatment. Image based follow up will be focused on modifications and development of the rim of enhancement surrounding NPV and the evolution of NPV following HIFU treatment.
- Preliminary efficacy of MRI guided transurethral HIFU ablation in locally recurrent PC after EBRT in terms of serum PSA response. [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]Explore and characterise short- and medium-term pattern of S-PSA response following HIFU ablation. Serum PSA will be measured before HIFU ablation and predetermined interval during follow up protocol after HIFU ablation. The serum PSA trend and nadir following HIFU ablation will be demonstrated.
- Evaluate voiding function by using uroflowmetry before and after HIFU ablation separately in each arm/group. [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]
Voiding function is assessed separately in each group/arm by:
- measuring the rate of flow of voided urine using a flowmeter, a device that measures the quantity of urine (volume) voided per unit time (uroflowmetry). The measurement is expressed in millilitres per second (ml/s).
The data from uroflowmetry before and after HIFU ablation will be compared.
- Evaluate voiding function by measuring PVR before and after HIFU ablation separately in each arm/group. [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]
Voiding function is assessed separately in each group/arm by:
- post-voided residual urine (PVR) (volume in ml), which estimates the completeness of bladder emptying using a handheld ultrasonic bladder scanner.
The PVR before and after HIFU ablation will be compared.
- Evaluation of QoL following HIFU ablation in each prostate cancer arm/group [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]
Evaluation of QoL using standardised questionnaire:
- 26-item short-form version of EPIC, The Expanded Prostate Index Composite
QoL questionnaire before and after HIFU ablation are compared.
The measure is a composite outcome measure reported as single value for each arm/group.
- Evaluation of change in urinary symptoms following HIFU ablation in BPH group [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]
Quality of life questionnaire, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), is used to assess urinary symptoms following HIFU therapy. IPSS consists of seven question concerning urinary symptoms (points from 0 to 5) and one separate question concerning quality of life (points from 0 to 6). The total score of questions related to urinary symptoms can range from 0 to 35. The baseline IPSS score is compared to IPSS scores obtained from predetermined follow up protocol following HIFU therapy to characterise HIFU therapy´s short- (1 week, 3 and 6 months) and medium-term (12 months) impact on lower urinary tract function. A significant change in IPSS is defined as a change of > 3 points.
The change in total points of IPSS between baseline and most recent follow up visit is measured.
- Evaluation of change in erectile function following HIFU ablation in BPH group [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]
Quality of life questionnaire, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15), is used to assess sexual function following HIFU therapy. A score of 0-5 is awarded to each of the 15 questions that examine 4 main domain of male sexual function: erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire and intercourse satisfaction.
Change in total score and each domain of IIEF-15 separately are measured between the baseline and most recent follow-up visit.
- Evaluate painfulness of HIFU therapy in treating various prostate diseases [ Time Frame: 12 months from the treatment date ]
The pain is assessed predetermined interval during follow up using Visual Analog Scale for pain (VAS for pain, numerical rating scale 1-10).
The measure is a composite outcome measure reported as single value for each arm/group.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | Child, Adult, Older Adult |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Male |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Shared inclusion criteria for all groups:
- Language spoken: Finnish, English or Swedish
- Mental status: Patients must be able to understand the meaning of the study
- Informed consent: The patient must sign the appropriate Ethics Committee (EC) approved informed consent documents in the presence of the designated staff.
- Potential prostate biopsies obtained > 6 weeks before HIFU/TULSA-PRO treatment (or at the discretion of PI)
- Eligible for MRI
- Eligible for spinal or general anesthesia (ASA 3 or less)
- Succession of urethral catheterization/Patency of prostatic urethra confirmed if needed with pre-HIFU cystoscopy
Group-specific inclusion criteria
Group 1. Localized PC prior to RP
- All localized PC patients planned for robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) with normal standards of care are eligible for this study (EAU guidelines)
- MRI-visible biopsy proven PC (biopsies obtained < 6 months before treatment)
Group 2. Locally symptomatic locally advanced and/or metastatic prostate cancer in need of palliative surgical intervention
- gross recurrent hematuria
- bladder outlet obstruction with intractable symptoms
- urinary retention
Group 3. Locally recurrent PC after EBRT as a salvage approach
- Phoenix criteria of biochemical relapse (PSA nadir + 2 ng/ml)
- MRI-visible, biopsy proven local recurrence
- No evidence of distant metastasis in PSMA-PET/CT
Group 4. Symptomatic BPH with need for intervention
- Patients planned for surgical procedure (e.g. TURP, laservaporization or open adenomectomy) with normal standards of care are eligible for this study
- Bilobular hyperplasia (enlarged transition zone lobes) without dominant enlargement of periurethral zone "median lobe" assessed in cystoscopy and TRUS
- No suspicion of cancer on baseline MRI (PI-RADS v2 lesion < 3)
Shared exclusion criteria for all groups:
- Prostate calcifications >1cm in largest diameter located in the anticipated treatment sector on baseline TRUS or MRI
- Prostate cysts >1cm in largest diameter located in the anticipated treatment sector on baseline TRUS or MRI
- History of chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease) affecting rectum (also includes rectal fistula and anal/rectal stenosis)
- Contraindications for MRI (cardiac pacemaker, intracranial clips etc.)
- Uncontrolled serious infection
- Claustrophobia
- Hip replacement surgery or other metal in the pelvic area
- Severe kidney failure (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <30ml/min/1.73m2) exclude usage of gadolinium in contrast-enhanced imaging unless justifiable based on the clinical judgment of the responsible radiologist and/or urologist.
- Known allergy to gadolinium
- Known allergy or contraindication to GI anti-spasmodic drug (e.g. glucagon, buscopan)
- Inability to insert urinary catheter (i.e. urethral stricture disease)
- Patients with artificial urinary sphincter, urethral sling or any penile implant
- Any other conditions that might compromise patient safety, based on the clinical judgment of the responsible urologist

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03350529
Contact: Peter Boström, M.D.Ph.D | +358 2 3135925 | peter.bostrom@tyks.fi | |
Contact: Mikael Anttinen, M.D | mhjant@utu.fi |
Finland | |
Department of Urology | Recruiting |
Turku, Finland, 20521 |
Principal Investigator: | Peter Boström, M.D.Ph.D | Department of Urology, VSSHP, University of Turku |
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Responsible Party: | Turku University Hospital |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03350529 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
TO3/001/17 |
First Posted: | November 22, 2017 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | May 10, 2021 |
Last Verified: | May 2021 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
prostate cancer benign prostatic hyperplasia benign prostatic obstruction |
high intensity focused ultrasound real-time temperature feedback control magnetic resonance imaging |
Prostatic Neoplasms Prostatic Hyperplasia Prostatic Diseases Hyperplasia Genital Neoplasms, Male Urogenital Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site |
Neoplasms Genital Diseases, Male Genital Diseases Urogenital Diseases Male Urogenital Diseases Pathologic Processes |