Salvage irreversible electroporation for radio-recurrent prostate cancer – the prospective FIRE trial

Alexandar Blazevski, Bart Geboers, Matthijs J. Scheltema, William Gondoputro, Paul Doan, Athos Katelaris, Shikha Agrawal, Daniela Baretto, Jayne Matthews, Anne-Maree Haynes, Warick Delprado, Ron Shnier, Willemien van den Bos, James E. Thompson, Nathan Lawrentschuk, Phillip D. Stricker

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7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: To prospectively assess the safety, functional- and oncological-outcomes of irreversible electroporation (IRE) as salvage therapy for radio-recurrent focal prostate cancer in a multicenter setting. Patients and methods: Men with focal recurrent PCa after external beam radiation or brachytherapy without metastatic disease on staging imaging and co-registration between mpMRI and biopsies were prospectively included in this multicenter trial. Adverse events were reported following the Clavien-Dindo classification. Validated questionnaires were used for patient-reported functional outcomes. Follow-up consisted of 3 monthly prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, a 6-month mpMRI and standardised transperineal template mapping biopsies at 12-months. Thereafter follow-up was guided by MRI and/or PSMA-PET/CT and PSA. Local recurrence was defined as any ISUP score ≥2 on biopsies. Results: 37 patients were analysed with a median (interquartile range (IQR)) follow up of 29 (22–43) months. Median age was 71 (53–83), median PSA was 3.5 ng/mL (2.7–6.1). 28 (75.5%) patients harboured intermediate risk and 9 patients (24.5%) high risk PCa. Seven patients (19%) reported self-limiting urgency, frequency, or hematuria (grade 1–2). Seven patients (19%) developed a grade 3 AE; urethral sludge requiring transurethral resection. At 12 months post treatment 93% of patients remained continent and erectile function sufficient for intercourse deteriorated from 35% to 15% (4/27). Local control was achieved in 29 patients (78%) and 27 patients (73%) were clear of local and systemic disease. Four (11%) patients had local recurrence only. Six (16%) patients developed metastatic disease with a median time to metastasis of 8 months. Conclusion: The FIRE trial shows that salvage IRE after failed radiation therapy for localised PCa is safe with minimal toxicity, and promising functional and oncological outcomes. Salvage IRE can offer a possible solution for notoriously difficult to manage radio recurrent prostate tumours.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23-31
Number of pages9
JournalBJU international
Volume131
Issue numberS4
Early online date2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

Keywords

  • Irreversible electroporation
  • Localised prostate cancer
  • ablation
  • focal therapy
  • radiation failure
  • salvage treatment

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