Study Population This study is being conducted with intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients (Gleason score 7). This patient population was chosen because they would otherwise be treated with conventional therapies (RP or RT) which are often associated with significant side effects.
Study Design This study is designed to be a prospective, non-randomized study in 100 subjects treated at up to 5 clinical sites in Canada.
Prospective study subjects who sign a written informed consent will be enrolled in the study. Study eligibility will be confirmed at the Screening visit. Transperineal or transrectal prostate biopsy must have been performed no more than 180 days prior to the time of consent. mpMRI must have been within 360 days prior to treatment. If they continue to meet enrollment criteria, they will be scheduled for treatment and after undergoing standard bowel preparation, the NanoKnife System procedure will be carried out under general anesthesia and utilizing transrectal ultrasound (US) guidance.
Subjects will undergo treatment with the NanoKnife System as well as follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-procedure. Transrectal US and transperineal or transrectal biopsy will be completed at the 12-month follow up visit. Post-treatment imaging will be completed using mpMRI scan at 9-12 months post-procedure.
Study Agent/ Intervention/ Procedure The intervention being studied is Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) using NanoKnife technology. This technology uses high voltage current via probes placed around the prostate tumour via the perineum. The electricity damages the cell membranes rendering the cells dead. Hypothesized benefits of IRE over other focal therapy options include the ability to treat large or small lesions. Also, because the technology spares vessels, it can be used to treat prostate areas adjacent to sensitive structures (ie. prostate apex near the sphincter and lateral peripheral zone near the neurovascular bundle). Finally, treatments take approximately 1-1.5 hours, thus the technology could be used to treat several patients per day.
Primary Objectives
1. To determine the NanoKnife System's ablation effectiveness and durability by measuring the negative in-field biopsy rate at 12 months.
2. To determine the NanoKnife System's procedural and post-procedural safety profile by evaluating adverse event incidence, type, and severity through 12 months.
Secondary Objectives
1. To evaluate whether clinically significant prostate cancer will develop outside the ablation zone in men selected for focal IRE therapy as determined by positive prostate biopsy outside the ablation zone 12 months post treatment.
2. To evaluate urinary and erectile function after NanoKnife System treatment using validated subject questionnaires (UCLA-EPIC, IPSS, IPSS-QOL, IIEF-15).
3. To determine post-NanoKnife System treatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics, including time to PSA nadir and post-nadir PSA stability.
4. To determine the effectiveness of therapy by assessing the need for secondary or salvage treatment following therapy.
5. To determine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) levels after treatment with the NanoKnife System using a validated subject questionnaire (EQ-5D).
Exploratory Objective
1\. To evaluate longer term effectiveness of focal IRE and possible delayed adverse events through 5-years.
