Laser Ablation for Thyroid Cancer

Overseen By R. Michael Tuttle, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Non-PTC thyroid cancer, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 1 day

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether percutaneous laser ablation (PLA), a technique using laser energy, can safely and effectively treat small papillary thyroid cancers as an alternative to surgery. It targets individuals with a specific type of thyroid cancer confirmed by biopsy who prefer treatment over observation. The trial may suit those whose thyroid tumor is mainly solid, has not spread, and who have opted against monitoring the condition. As a Phase 2 trial, it measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, providing an opportunity to explore a potentially effective alternative to surgery.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) is safe for treating papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC)?

Research has shown that percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) for small thyroid cancers is generally safe. In one study, serious complications occurred in less than 1-2% of cases, indicating that most patients did not experience major issues. Another study tracked patients for five years and found the treatment effective 100% of the time, suggesting it is both effective and manageable for patients.

Overall, PLA appears to be a promising option with a low risk of side effects. However, as with any medical procedure, some risk is involved. Discuss any concerns with a healthcare provider. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising?

Percutaneous Laser Ablation (PLA) is unique because it offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery for treating papillary microcarcinoma (PTMC) of the thyroid. Unlike standard treatments like thyroidectomy, which involves removing part or all of the thyroid gland, PLA uses targeted laser energy to destroy cancerous tissue, potentially preserving more of the thyroid's function. Researchers are excited about this approach because it could reduce recovery time, lower the risk of complications, and provide a less invasive option for patients who might otherwise undergo major surgery.

What evidence suggests that percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) might be an effective treatment for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC)?

Research has shown that percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) is a promising treatment for small thyroid cancers, specifically papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). In this trial, participants with PTMC who choose thyroidectomy over observational management will be considered potential candidates for PLA. One study found that PLA was effective and safe for older patients with PTMC who could not undergo surgery. Another analysis revealed that PLA carries a low risk of complications, with major issues occurring in less than 1–2% of cases. Studies also indicate that PLA can shrink the cancer and relieve symptoms faster than some other treatments. These findings suggest that PLA could serve as a good alternative to surgery for treating small thyroid cancers. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

R. Michael Tuttle, MD

Principal Investigator

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with a small thyroid cancer (≤13mm) called papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, who haven't spread to lymph nodes or beyond the thyroid capsule. It's for those who've declined just watching the tumor and have certain cancer cell characteristics confirmed by tests.

Inclusion Criteria

My other vocal cord works fine before the procedure.

The size of the maximum diameter of something should be 13 millimeters or less.

Your medical scans do not show any signs of cancer spreading to the lymph nodes.

Exclusion Criteria

My cancer has spread to my lymph nodes.

Pregnancy

Your thyroid lesion has more than 25% cysts in it.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 months

Multiple visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Percutaneous Laser Ablation (PLA)

Trial Overview The study is testing percutaneous laser ablation (PLA), which uses lasers to destroy tumors without surgery, as a treatment option for removing tiny papillary thyroid cancers instead of traditional surgery.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Participants with papillary microcarcinoma (PTMC) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants with papillary microcarcinoma (PTMC) who have elected to proceed with thyroidectomy rather than an observational management approach will be considered as potential candidates for this trial.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,998

Recruited

602,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9428260/

The feasibility and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous ... The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) for patients with multifocal ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9671076/

A 5-year follow-up study on the efficacy and safety of ... We demonstrated that ultrasound-guided PLA is effective and safe for the treatment of elderly patients with PTMC who are ineligible for surgery.

3. erc.bioscientifica.com erc.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/erc/30/3/ERC-22-0244.xml

Percutaneous ablation of low-risk papillary thyroid cancer in Meta-analysis of the published data confirms a risk of overall complication of about 3%, while the risk of major complications is less than 1–2% (Choi & Jung ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04623801

Laser Ablation of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma The purpose of this study is to explore whether percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) is a safe and effective alternative to removing papillary thyroid ...

5. aot.amegroups.org aot.amegroups.org/article/view/7221/html

Laser ablation for thyroid nodules has come to age—a review Data showed that combined treatments results in a faster nodule volume reduction and a faster amelioration of local symptoms than the therapy with radioiodine ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167814025000015

Meta-analysis Therapeutic outcomes and safety of ... RFA is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment option for both T1a and T1b PTC, with high tumor disappearance and volume reduction rates and low ...

7. cell.com cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(24)01567-6

Efficacy and safety of thermal ablation modalities for the ... Based on as least 6 months follow up, our analysis discovered no significant statistical differences in all efficacy and safety outcomes between ...