Trial results for a study investigating transbronchial microwave ablation for oligometastatic lung cancer were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-11-24. The study, which was terminated, reported that 11 out of 12 participants achieved technique efficacy.
Background
Lung cancer remains a significant global health challenge. For patients with oligometastatic tumors in the peripheral lung, targeted and minimally invasive treatment options are continuously being explored. Transbronchial microwave ablation, guided by advanced imaging and robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, represents an approach to precisely target and ablate these lesions, potentially offering an alternative to more invasive surgical procedures or external radiation.
Trial design
This terminated study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 12 participants with Lung Neoplasms. The trial was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study evaluating transbronchial microwave ablation using the NEUWAVE FLEX Microwave Ablation System and Accessories on oligometastatic tumors in the peripheral lung. The procedure was guided by the Auris MONARCH Platform for visualization and access, with cone beam CT used to confirm probe tip placement and final ablation zone. The primary endpoint was Technique Efficacy, assessed 30-days post-ablation via CT imaging.
Key results
The trial reported the following key measurements for the Transbronchial Microwave Ablation group:
- Number of Patients Whose Ablation Resulted in Technique Efficacy: 11 Participants
- Number of Patients Whose Ablation Resulted in Technical Success: 12 Participants
- Number of Patients Who Experienced Local Tumor Progression: 11 Participants
- Number of Patients Who Experienced Disease Progression: 3 Participants
- Number of Patients Who Experienced Disease Progression: 0 Participants
- Number of Patients Who Experienced Disease Progression: 3 Participants
- Number of Patients Who Experienced Disease Progression: 2 Participants
- Number of Patients Who Required Repeat Ablation of Target Lesion: 0 Participants
What this means
The results from this terminated study indicate that transbronchial microwave ablation achieved technical success in all 12 enrolled participants and technique efficacy in 11 participants for oligometastatic lung tumors. While 11 participants experienced local tumor progression, 0 participants required repeat ablation of the target lesion. The varying counts for disease progression (3, 0, 3, 2 participants) suggest different aspects or timeframes of progression were measured. These findings provide preliminary data on the feasibility and immediate outcomes of this robotic-assisted ablation technique, though the trial's termination and small enrollment limit broader conclusions.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT05299606, titled "POWER Study (Prospective Transbronchial Microwave + Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy)", were posted on 2025-11-24 on clinicaltrials.gov.