No-Scalpel weight loss: new stomach burn procedure tested
NCT ID NCT05574777
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a new, non-surgical weight loss technique called Gastric Mucosal Ablation (GMA) in 13 people with class III obesity. The procedure uses a device to carefully burn the stomach lining, aiming to mimic the hormonal effects of weight-loss surgery. The main goal was to check if the procedure is safe and feasible, with participants followed for 6 months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Hybrid argon plasma coagulation (HybridAPC) device
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a less invasive weight-loss option for people with severe obesity, avoiding the need for surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small, early feasibility study with only 13 participants. It focused on safety, not weight-loss effectiveness, so much more research is needed.
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
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13 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2023
- Finished
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Mar 2026
- 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
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21 to 75 years
- Sex
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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. Male or female patients with class III obesity (BMI = 40 and BMI \> 40) 2. Age 21 - 75 yrs. 3. Treatment naïve for bariatric surgery or endoscopic bariatric therapy 4. Agree to avoid any use of weight loss medications such as Meridia, Saxenda, Januvia, Xenical, or over the counter weight loss medications or supplements throughout the study. 5. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must agree to use acceptable contraception methods. 6. Agree not to donate blood during their participation in the study. 7. Able to comply with study requirements and understand and sign the Informed Consent Form. 8. Stable weight defined as a fluctuation of less than 5% for at least 3 months prior to screening visit. Exclusion Criteria: 1. 1\) Patients requiring exogenous insulin. 2. HbA1c \> 8.5 % 3. Pregnant or breast-feeding or intending to get pregnant during the study. 4. Unwilling or unable to complete the patient diary, or comply with study visits and other study procedures as required per protocol. 5. History of diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar nonketotic coma. 6. Probable insulin production failure, defined as fasting C-Peptide serum \< 1 ng/mL (333 pmol/l). 7. Previous use of any types of insulin for \> 1 month (at any time, except for treatment of gestational diabetes). 8. Change in diabetic treatment within the last three months. 9. Use of glucose-lowering drugs for diabetes mellitus treatment with the exception of sulfonylurea (SU), biguanides, sodium dependent glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and metformin (previously used for at least 3 months. 10. Change of diabetes medication or doses 12 weeks prior to screening visit. 11. Hypoglycemia unawareness or a history of severe hypoglycemia (more than 1 severe hypoglycemic event, as defined by need for third-party-assistance, in the last year). 12. Known autoimmune disease, including but not limited to celiac disease, or pre-existing symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma or other autoimmune connective tissue disorder. 13. Previous upper GI surgery, or other endoscopic bariatric procedures or conditions, prior intra-gastric balloon or another gastric implant. 14. History of diabetic gastroparesis. 15. Known active hepatitis or active liver disease. 16. Acute gastrointestinal illness in the previous 7 days. 17. Known history irritable bowel syndrome, radiation enteritis or other inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease. 18. Known history of a structural or functional disorder of the esophagus that may impede passage of the device through the gastrointestinal tract or increase risk of esophageal damage during an endoscopic procedure, including Barrett's esophagus, esophagitis, dysphagia, achalasia, stricture/stenosis, esophageal varices, esophageal diverticula, esophageal perforation, or any other disorder of the esophagus. 19. Known history of a structural or functional disorder of the esophagus, including any swallowing disorder, esophageal chest pain disorders, or drug refractory esophageal reflux symptoms. 20. Known history of a structural or functional disorder of the stomach including gastroparesis, gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis, gastric varices, hiatal hernia (\>3 cm), cancer or any other disorder of the stomach. 21. Known history of chronic symptoms suggestive of a structural or functional disorder of the stomach, including any symptoms of chronic upper abdominal pain, chronic nausea, chronic vomiting, chronic dyspepsia or symptoms suggestive of gastroparesis, including post-prandial fullness or pain, post-prandial nausea or vomiting or early satiety. 22. Currently have ongoing symptoms suggestive of intermittent small bowel obstruction, such as recurrent bouts of post-prandial abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. 23. Active H. pylori infection (Subjects with active H. pylori may continue with the screening process if they are treated with an appropriate antibiotic regimen. 24. History of coagulopathy, upper gastrointestinal bleeding conditions such as ulcers, gastric varices, strictures, congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia. 25. Current use of anticoagulation therapy 26. Obligate use of anti-inflammatory drugs that cannot be suspended for a minimum of 4 weeks post procedure 27. Use of systemic glucocorticoids (excluding topical or ophthalmic application or inhaled forms) for more than 10 consecutive days within 90 days prior to the Screening Visit. 28. Use of drugs known to affect GI motility (e.g. Metoclopramide). 29. Receiving any weight loss medications such as Meridia, Xenical, Saxenda, Januvia, Duromine or over the counter weight loss medications at screening. 30. Untreated/inadequately treated hypothyroidism, defined as an elevated Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level at Screening; if on thyroid hormone replacement therapy, must be on stable dose for at least 6 weeks prior to Screening. 31. Persistent Anemia, defined as Hemoglobin \<10 g/dL. 32. Significant cardiovascular disease including known history of valvular disease, or myocardial infarction, heart failure, transient ischemic attack or stroke within the last 6 months. 33. Known moderate or severe chronic kidney disease (CKD), with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<45 ml/min/1.73m2 (estimated by MDRD). 34. Known immunocompromised status, including but not limited to individuals who have undergone organ transplantation, chemotherapy or radiotherapy within the past 12 months, who have clinically-significant leukopenia, who are positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or whose immune status makes the subject a poor candidate for clinical trial participation in the opinion of the Investigator. 35. Active systemic infection. 36. Active malignancy within the last 5 years (with the exception of treated basal cell or treated squamous cell carcinoma). 37. Subjects with an established diagnosis of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 1. 38. Not a candidate for surgery or general anesthesia. 39. Active illicit substance abuse or alcoholism. 40. Current smoker or smoking history in the last six months. 41. Participating in another ongoing clinical trial of an investigational drug or device. 42. Any other mental or physical condition which, in the opinion of the Investigator, makes the subject a poor candidate for clinical trial participation. 43. Other medical condition that does not allow for endoscopic procedure.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil
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