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Keck Medicine of USC explores innovative steam treatment as a less invasive alternative to surgery and radiation for prostate cancer patients.
Steam is widely known for its ability to eliminate wrinkles and kill germs, but could it also be a new weapon in the fight against prostate cancer?
Keck Medicine of USC is part of a groundbreaking, nationwide clinical trial to investigate the potential of a water vapor system that uses precisely targeted steam to destroy cancer cells in patients with localized, intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The trial aims to determine whether this novel approach could provide a safe and effective alternative to traditional treatments such as surgery and radiation.
“The most common therapies for prostate cancer often come with life-altering side effects,” said Dr. Andre Abreu, a Keck Medicine urologist and the lead investigator for the trial. “We’re hoping that this new treatment can not only eradicate cancer but also improve our patients’ overall quality of life.”
Who May Benefit from the Trial
This clinical trial targets patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, where the tumor remains localized within the prostate and has not spread to other parts of the body. This form of cancer represents roughly one-third of all localized prostate cancers. While some patients with slow-growing cancers may not require treatment, others need intervention to prevent the disease from progressing.
Traditionally, prostate cancer has been treated with surgery or radiation, both of which can have significant side effects. These treatments often affect nearby organs, including the bladder, urethra, and rectum, leading to risks such as impotence, urinary incontinence, and bowel dysfunction.
“The costs of the cure can be very high,” Dr. Abreu explained. “We believe that some patients may benefit from a procedure that is gentler on the body and allows them to preserve their quality of life post-treatment.”
How Steam Might Fight Cancer
Heat-based therapies have long been used to destroy cancer cells, and steam may provide a precise method to target tumors. In this clinical trial, MRI imaging is used to locate the cancerous tissue within the prostate. A thin catheter is then inserted through the patient’s urethra to the tumor, where it delivers a quick, targeted 10-second burst of steam. Additional bursts are administered as needed to destroy the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
“This therapy is designed to be much gentler than traditional treatments,” Dr. Abreu said. “The goal is to destroy cancer cells without harming nearby organs, offering patients a treatment that is both effective and minimally invasive.”
Another advantage of the water vapor system is its convenience. Unlike surgery, which often requires an overnight hospital stay, this procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Additionally, unlike radiation treatments that typically involve multiple sessions, the steam therapy requires only a single application to achieve its therapeutic effect.
Clinical Trial Details
This clinical trial is being conducted at up to 30 hospitals and health centers across the country, with more than 180 procedures completed thus far. Keck Hospital of USC is the only Los Angeles-area site participating in the study. Patients will be monitored for five years to track their post-treatment cancer outcomes.
The study is sponsored by Francis Medical, Inc., a private medical company responsible for developing the Vanquish® Water Vapor Ablation System. This system is one of several minimally invasive treatments for prostate cancer that are being explored in the field of urology.
Looking ahead, Dr. Abreu is optimistic about the future of innovative therapies in cancer treatment. “In the next decade, we hope that these novel therapies will revolutionize how we treat prostate cancer, helping patients become cancer-free while preserving their quality of life.”
The trial’s findings may offer hope for prostate cancer patients seeking less invasive treatments with fewer long-term side effects.
Reference: “Water Vapor Ablation for Localized Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer (VAPOR 2).”
Dr. Abreu declares no conflict of interest with the sponsor.
