Cryoablation Breakthrough: IceCure's ProSense System Shows Promise in Lung Cancer Treatment

IceCure Medical, an Israel-based medtech company, has reported encouraging results from a new study demonstrating the potential of its ProSense cryoablation system in treating inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This development comes on the heels of the company's recent FDA approval for using the same technology in early-stage breast cancer treatment.

Promising Survival Rates for Lung Cancer Patients

A study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One has revealed that patients with stage 1 NSCLC who received stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) followed by treatment with IceCure's ProSense system achieved a five-year overall survival rate of 74%. This outcome surpasses the survival rates typically observed in patients receiving SBRT alone and is comparable to those who undergo surgical tumor removal.

The research, led by Dr. Hiroaki Nomori of Kashiwa Kousei General Hospital in Japan, involved 64 patients with an average tumor size of 2.7 cm. Key findings from the study include:

• A five-year local control rate of 93%, indicating a low rate of tumor recurrence
• No treatment-related deaths
• The most common complication was a collapsed lung, occurring in 40% of patients

IceCure CEO Eyal Shamir emphasized the significance of these results, stating, "While radiation therapy is the standard of care for inoperable stage 1 NSCLC patients, using SBRT alone unfortunately results in far lower overall survival and lower local control than surgery in certain patients."

The ProSense System: A Minimally Invasive Approach

IceCure's ProSense system utilizes cryoablation technology to destroy tumors by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. This minimally invasive procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, offering a potential alternative to more invasive surgical interventions.

The combination of SBRT and cryoablation may provide a new treatment option for patients with inoperable lung cancer, as well as a less invasive alternative for a broader population of stage 1 NSCLC patients who might otherwise require surgery.

Recent FDA Approval for Breast Cancer Treatment

In October, IceCure received FDA marketing authorization to use the ProSense system in the United States for local treatment of early-stage, low-risk breast cancer. This approval specifically applies to women aged 70 and older when the treatment is combined with adjuvant endocrine therapy.

As IceCure continues to expand the applications of its cryoablation technology, the company is positioning itself as a significant player in the field of minimally invasive cancer treatments. The recent lung cancer study results and FDA approval for breast cancer treatment mark important milestones in the company's efforts to provide innovative solutions for cancer patients.