Cryoballoon ablation effectively treats esophageal squamous cell neoplasia

WASHINGTON — Focal cryoballoon ablation was effective for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell neoplasia, a precursor to squamous cell cancer, according to early results from a study presented at Digestive Disease Week.

Yan Ke, MD, from the National Cancer Center in Beijing, said that esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) accounts for 88% of esophageal cancers, and more than half of these cases are found in China.

“The majority of this cancer arises in resource-limited populations and poverty-stricken, rural areas,” Ke said in his presentation. Due to limited access to advanced endoscopy, Ke said there is a need for a low-cost treatment that is easy to use.

Ke and colleagues used the Cryoballoon Focal Ablation System (C2 Therapeutics) to treat patients with squamous cell neoplasia in a single-center study. All patients had at least one lesion less than 6 cm in length (n = 80). Investigators repeated treatment every three months until patients exhibited a complete response. After a 12-month follow-up, patients underwent endoscopy.

To date, 77 patients completed the 3-month endoscopy treatment, 69 of whom had a complete response (90%). The other eight patients had complete response after the next treatment three months later.

Of 37 patients who already completed the full 12 months of treatment and follow-up, 36 continued to exhibit a complete response (97%), and just one patient had persistent moderate grade intraepithelial neoplasia.

Researchers also found that the treatment was safe, with three patients experiencing mucosal lacerations. Two patients received treatment three months later, and one withdrew consent and did not return to the study, Ke said.

“To decrease the incidence and mortality of ESCC we should treat pre-cancerous lesions,” Ke said. “Based on our study, we found that focal cryoablation is safe, well-tolerated and highly effective in the reduction of esophageal squamous cell dysplasia.” He said more research is needed to due to the limitations of their single-center, one-arm study. – by Alex Young

Reference :

Ke Y, Wang G. Abstract 1031. Presented at: Digestive Disease Week; June 2-5, 2018; Washington, D.C.

Disclosures: The study was funded by C2 Therapeutics. Ke reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the DDW faculty disclosure index for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.