Study probes immune changes after heat ablation of lung tumors

NCT ID NCT03960021

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Institut Bergonié Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at how radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a procedure that uses heat to destroy tumors, affects the immune system in people with lung metastases from colorectal cancer. Researchers measured immune cells in tumor samples and blood before and after RFA in 20 participants. The study was terminated early, so the findings are limited, but the goal was to better understand the immune response triggered by this treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help doctors understand how RFA might boost the body's immune response against cancer, potentially improving future treatments.
What could go wrong: This was a small, early-stage study that was terminated, so results are limited. The findings may not apply to all patients or lead to direct treatment changes.

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

20 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Mar 2019

Finished

Mar 2022

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patient older than 18 years-old. 2. OMS performance status ≤ 2. 3. Colorectal cancer histologically established previously. 4. Primary tumor resected. 5. Lung metastasis: 1. Bilateral metastasis (or unilateral metastases that need to undergo the RF in two separate sessions due to the number of metastases ≥ 5) 2. Maximal diameter ≤ 4 cm, 3. non or slowly progressive, with or without chemotherapy, 4. eligible to RFA. 6. Thorax-abdomen-pelvis CT scan and PET scan: 1. performed within 8 weeks before inclusion 2. finding no more than 10 metastatic nodules (liver + lung or lung alone) 7. Maximum of 8 weeks between the last cycle of chemotherapy and the first RFA. 8. Decision of local treatment agreed at the multidisciplinary digestive tumor board. 9. Life expectancy ≥ 3 months. 10. Voluntarily signed and dated written informed consent prior to any study specific procedure. 11. Patients with a French social security in compliance with the Law relating to biomedical research (Article 1121-11 of French Public Health Code). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Other than lung or liver metastases. 2. Contraindication to general anesthesia. 3. Contraindication to RFA: tumor location (\< 1cm from the hilum), lung insufficiency (FEV/sec \< 1l), 4. Pregnant or lactating women. 5. Concomitant participation to another interventional research. 6. Patient unable to follow and comply with the study procedures because of any geographical, social or psychological reasons. 7. Patient deprived of liberty or under legal protection measure.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

colonic neoplasm colorectal cancer metastatic neoplasm neoplasm Neoplastic Cells, Circulating

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Circulating tumor cell Colo-rectal cancer Immune evasion, tumor Neoplastic cells, circulating Pulmonary metastasis

Study probes immune changes after heat ablation of lung tumors

What the study statuses mean