Can electric pulses destroy lung tumors without surgery?
NCT ID NCT07799194
First seen Sep 02, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This trial tests a device that uses pulsed electric fields to destroy lung tumors. It is for people with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer or lung metastases that cannot be removed with surgery or treated with radiotherapy. Participants receive the ablation under general anesthesia, and researchers follow them for 12 months to check safety and whether the tumor shrinks or stays stable.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Pulsed electric field ablation delivered through a needle inserted through the skin into the lung tumor
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this approach could offer a new treatment option for people with early-stage lung cancer or lung metastases who cannot undergo surgery or radiotherapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-stage study with only 10 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The procedure carries risks such as bleeding, infection, or damage to nearby lung tissue.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 10 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Jun 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 79 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥18 years but ≤ 79 years, male or female 2. Pathologically diagnosed primary NSCLC and stage IA, or oligometastatic lung tumors that primary cancer has been controlled. the maximum diameter of the lesion is ≤3cm, (Pathological diagnosis includes conventional pathological examination or ROSE rapid on-site evaluation) 3. For multiple primary lung cancers, the number of lesions is ≤3 and the maximum diameter of the lesion(s) is ≤3cm. For metastatic tumors, the number of lesions in one side of lung is ≤3 (total lesions in both sides \<5), the maximum diameter of the lesion(s) is ≤3cm. 4. ECOG score ≤ 2; 5. Expected survival ≥ 12 months; 6. Clinical assessment as unsuitable for surgical resection or refusing surgery and radiotherapy. 7. Assessed by an anesthesiologist as suitable for general anesthesia; 8. Agree to receive ablation therapy and sign the informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Received any form of local tumor therapy for the target lung tumor lesion(s) within 6 months. 2. Currently receiving systemic anti-tumor therapy, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy etc. (For pulmonary oligometastatic tumors with primary cancer controlled already, if systemic anti-tumor therapy still needs to be continued, it is acceptable. For primary NSCLC patients, according to guideline recommendations, no concurrent systemic anti-tumor therapy is indicated). 3. The distance between tumor lesion edge and important structures such as heart, diaphragm and mediastinum is less than 10mm. 4. With a history of hypersensitivity to medications to be used in general anesthesia or drugs required during the procedure/follow-up (such as contrast-enhanced CT scan). 5. Anemia (Hemoglobin (HGB) \< 9 g/dL), dehydration, and severe metabolic disorders that cannot be improved or well managed in the short term. 6. Coagulation abnormalities (INR \>1.5 or APTT \>1.5 ULN), or platelet count below 90 x 10\^9/L. 7. Uncontrolled lung or systemic infection. Or uncontrolled skin infection at the puncture site or fever \> 38.5°C. 8. Currently using anticoagulant therapy and/or antiplatelet drugs (such as warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and other new oral anticoagulants) and have not been discontinued for more than 5 to 7 days prior to ablation therapy. 9. Receiving high-dose immunosuppressive drugs (prednisone exceeding 10mg/day or equivalent). If discontinued for more than 4 weeks, it is acceptable. 10. Subject has comorbidity of severe other lung diseases (including interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, severe emphysema or atelectasis) and unsuitable for enrollment with the judgement of the investigator. 11. Malignant pleural effusion on the treatment side of lung. 12. Severe uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, severe abnormal liver or kidney function, or heart failure that investigator assessed as unsuitable for enrollment. 13. Acute cardio-cerebrovascular events within 3 months, such as acute hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, acute myocardial infarction. 14. Psychiatric disease that not well controlled. 15. With a history of recurrent tachyarrhythmia past 2 years. (Including rapid atrial arrhythmias, any rapid ventricular arrhythmias); or history of type II second-degree or III degree atrioventricular block or sinus bradycardia with heart rate \< 45 beats/min, or sinus tachycardia \> 120 beats/min. 16. Implanted electronic device in the body (such as pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or neurostimulator). (it is acceptable If the implanted electronic device is allowed to be turned off during the procedure) 17. There is metal implants near the lesion to be ablated lesion (distance \< 2-3cm) in the lung. 18. Patient is currently participating in another clinical trial. 19. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women planning to become pregnant during the study period. 20. Other situations judged by investigator as unsuitable for enrollment.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Lung cancer (NSCLC) are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
The First Affiliated Hospital of Guagnzhou Medical University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a targeted pill clear hidden lung cancer cells after surgery?
- Can a needle at the knee supercharge lung cancer immunotherapy?
- Can radiation spare the brain while fighting cancer in the spinal fluid?
- Can one small incision replace multiple for lung cancer surgery?
- Could lung fungi hold clues to Cancer's behavior?
- Can a new tracer reveal hidden tumors?