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NCT Number: NCT06937996

Outcomes of Ablation of Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer Using the NanoKnife Irreversible Electroporation System-

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short and intermediate term safety of the NanoKnife Irreversible Electroporation System when used off-label to treat unresectable pancreatic cancer. In addition, the study will evaluate the efficacy of this device in treating pain associated with unresectable pancreatic cancer. Quality of life post-procedure will also be collected.

Recruiting

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Englewood Hospital

Englewood, New Jersey, 07631, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Jamie Ketas

CONTACT

[email protected]

201-894-3418

About this study

The NanoKnife, System has been commercially available since 2009, and is FDA-approved to treat soft tissue tumors. The NanoKnife System has received FDA clearance for the surgical ablation of soft tissue. It has not received clearance for the therapy or treatment of any specific disease or condition.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short and intermediate term safety of the NanoKnife Irreversible Electroporation System when used off-label to treat unresectable pancreatic cancer. In addition, the study will evaluate the efficacy of this device in treating pain associated with unresectable pancreatic cancer. Quality of life post-procedure will also be collected.

Primary Objective:

  • Safety and tolerability of the procedure by monitoring the number of participants with Adverse Events at the following time points: 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days and 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months post-IRE procedure.

Secondary Objective:

  • Pain and Quality of Life outcomes of the patient using Pain Scores on the Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and Quality of Life Scores on the EORTC QLQ-PAN26 and EORTC QLQ-C30 at the following time points: 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days and 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • > = 18 years of age
  • Must be found to have locally advanced unresectable disease following standard chemotherapy ± radiotherapy as demonstrated with either CT/MRI imaging and surgical evaluation, and not have taken any chemotherapy/radiotherapy within 5 weeks of treatment with the NanoKnife IRE System
  • Must have an INR < 1.5
  • Are willing and able to comply with the protocol requirements
  • Are able to comprehend and willing to sign an informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

  • Creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL
  • Any lab value with a grade 3 or 4 toxicity as defined by the CTCAE Version 5.0
  • Inability to stop antiplatelet and coumadin therapy for 7 days prior to and 7 days post treatment with the NanoKnife System
  • Tumor size not measurable
  • Known history of contrast allergy that cannot be medically managed
  • Known hypersensitivity to the metal in the electrodes (stainless steel 304L) that cannot be medically managed
  • Unable to be treated with a muscle blockade agent (e.g. pancuronium bromide, atracurium, cisatracurium, etc.)
  • Women who are pregnant or currently breast feeding
  • Women of childbearing potential who are not utilizing an acceptable method of contraception
  • Have taken an investigational agent within 30 days of visit 1
  • Have implanted cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators
  • Have implanted electronic devices or implants with metal parts in the vicinity of a lesion
  • Have a history of epilepsy or cardiac arrhythmia (atrial or ventricular fibrillation)
  • Have a recent history of myocardial infarction (within the past 2 months)
  • Have Q-T intervals greater than 550 ms unless treated with an Accysync Model 72 synchronization system controlling the NanoKnife system's output pulses
  • Evidence of distant metastases of stage IV
  • Have taken any chemotherapeutic agent within 5 weeks of treatment with the NanoKnife Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) System
  • Received non-conventional fractionation schedules, such as stereotactic radiation (5 fractions or less) or received higher than 54 Gray (Gy) delivered conventionally

Treatment and study plan

NanoKnife

Device

The NanoKnife, System has been commercially available since 2009, and is FDA-approved to treat soft tissue tumors. The NanoKnife System has received FDA clearance for the surgical ablation of soft tissue. It has not received clearance for the therapy or treatment of any specific disease or condition.

Primary outcomes

  1. Safety and Pain

    Time frame: 2 years

    Safety and tolerability of the procedure by monitoring the number of participants with Adverse Events at the following time points: 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days and 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months post-IRE procedure. The primary endpoint will be the number of Participants with an adverse event related to the IRE treatment and serious or non-serious, at least grade 3, at least possibly related to treatment

    This will be measured by a series of questionnaires on pain scores via Quality of Life scores via the EORTC QLQ-PAN26 and EORTC QLQ-C30. Pain will be measured on a scale from 0-10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being worst pain.

  2. Safety and Pain

    Time frame: 2 years

    Safety and tolerability of the procedure by monitoring the number of participants with Adverse Events at the following time points: 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days and 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months post-IRE procedure. The primary endpoint will be the number of Participants with an adverse event related to the IRE treatment and serious or non-serious, at least grade 3, at least possibly related to treatment

    This will be measured by a series of questionnaires on pain scores via Visual Analogue Score (VAS).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Cherif Boutros

CONTACT

[email protected]

(201) 608-2266

Jamie Ketas

CONTACT

[email protected]

201-894-3418

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Outcomes of Ablation of Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer Using the NanoKnife Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) System

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2035
Study completion
2035
First posted
Apr 22, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 17, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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