HIFU shows 83% cancer-free rate in 10-year study of localized PCa

Ten-year data from an international registry-based multicenter study showed that 83% of patients with localized prostate cancer had no biopsy evidence of disease after treatment with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

The study, which is being called the largest long-term study presented on HIFU, reported outcomes from 2,552 patients treated throughout Europe, where the treatment is currently available. Patients diagnosed with stage T1-T3 prostate cancer with low, moderate or high risk for disease progression were treated with HIFU (Ablatherm, EDAP TMS SA, Lyon, France). Outcomes were followed using an online registry database, which tracked progression as measured by PSA levels and prostate biopsy data.

"Results from this robust, multicenter study were remarkably consistent across progression risk groups, demonstrating that HIFU is effective at controlling prostate cancer for all patients," said senior investigator Andreas Blana, MD, of the University of Regensburg, Germany. "These favorable clinical outcomes were also highly reproducible, which has a critical real-world impact on how effectively HIFU can be used to treat the disease worldwide."

The study revealed cancer cells could no longer be detected by a prostate biopsy in 83% of patients across all risk levels (low 89%, moderate 81%, high 78%). Consistent with previous HIFU studies, patients also experienced a mild side effect profile.

HIFU is currently undergoing evaluation in a multicenter U.S. phase II/III clinical trial. However, it is not yet approved for non-investigational use.