First Delayed Resection Findings After Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) of Human Localised Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) in the IRENE Pilot Phase 2a Trial

• Published in: Cardiovascular and interventional radiology Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 239 - 250
• Main Authors: Wendler, Johann Jakob, Ricke, Jens, Pech, Maciej, Fischbach, Frank, Jürgens, Julian, Siedentopf, Sandra, Roessner, Albert, Porsch, Markus, Baumunk, Daniel, Schostak, Martin, Köllermann, Jens, Liehr, Uwe-Bernd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.02.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: ABLATION; Ablation Techniques - methods; ANIMAL TISSUES; Biopsy; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - therapy; CARCINOMAS; Cardiology; Clinical Investigation; Diagnostic Imaging; Electrocardiography; Electroporation - methods; Female; Germany; HUMAN POPULATIONS; Humans; Imaging; Kidney Neoplasms - pathology; Kidney Neoplasms - therapy; KIDNEYS; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nuclear Medicine; PATIENTS; Pilot Projects; PLANT TISSUES; Radiology; RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasound; Irreversible electroporation (IRE); Renal cell carcinoma (RCC); Small renal mass (SRM); Focal therapy (FT); Ablation; Kidney
• ISSN: 0174-1551; 1432-086X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00270-015-1200-6

Introduction It is postulated that focal IRE affords complete ablation of soft-tissue tumours while protecting the healthy peritumoral tissue. Therefore, IRE may be an interesting option for minimally invasive, kidney-tissue-sparing, non-thermal ablation of renal tumours. Aim With this current pilot study (“IRENE trial”), we present the first detailed histopathological data of IRE of human RCC followed by delayed tumour resection. The aim of this interim analysis of the first three patients was to investigate the ablation efficiency of percutaneous image-guided focal IRE in RCC, to assess whether a complete ablation of T1a RCC and tissue preservation with the NanoKnife system is possible and to decide whether the ablation parameters need to be altered. Methods Following resection 4 weeks after percutaneous IRE, the success of ablation and detailed histopathological description were used to check the ablation parameters. Results The IRE led to a high degree of damage to the renal tumours (1 central, 2 peripheral; size range 15–17 mm). The postulated homogeneous, isomorphic damage was only partly confirmed. We found a zonal structuring of the ablation zone, negative margins and, enclosed within the ablation zone, very small tumour residues of unclear malignancy. Conclusion According to these initial, preliminary study results of the first three renal cases, a new zonal distribution of IRE damage was described and the curative intended, renal saving focal ablation of localised RCC below <3 cm by percutaneous IRE by the NanoKnife system appears to be possible, but needs further, systematic evaluation for this treatment method and treatment protocol.