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Endoscopy and Radiology-guided Ablation for Inoperable Cholangiocarcinoma

A Combined Endoscopy and Radiology-guided Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy Protocol for Inoperable Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05563870
Acronym
COMBO-RFA
Enrollment
26
Registered
2022-10-03
Start date
2022-08-01
Completion date
2026-07-20
Last updated
2026-07-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Keywords

perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, ERCP, Radiofrequency ablation

Brief summary

This prospective clinical trial aims to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a personalized radiofrequency ablation protocol coupled with complete biliary drainage for patients presenting with inoperable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Detailed description

This clinical trial proposes a personalized treatment approach to inoperable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma consisting of endoluminal ablative therapy via radiofrequency ablation followed by endoscopic biliary drainage. Patients presenting with jaundice / biliary obstruction caused by inoperable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma as assessed during multidisciplinary case discussion will be invited to enroll in this trial. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to receive biliary plastic stenting (control arm) or biliary plastic stenting + radiofrequency ablation via endoscopic approach. In cases where ERCP fails to achieve adequate biliary drainage, stenting and/or drainage will be attempted via percutaneous approach. Additional systemic chemotherapy will be offered to all eligible patients according to the local standard of care. Patients will be followed up with a clinical visit at 2 weeks and stent exchange (+ additional RFA treatment in the control arm) will be offered at 8-12 weeks interval until disease progression, clinical deterioration precluding ERCP or death. The main study objectives are: * To assess the technical feasibility of implementing the proposed therapeutic protocol involving a combined endoscopic-radiologic approach to drainage and ablation * To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in local disease control * To evaluate whether complete drainage and radiofrequency ablation have a cumulative benefit in patients with inoperable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma * To evaluate the safety of our proposed therapeutic protocol combining interventional endoscopy with radiology

Interventions

PROCEDUREEndoluminal radiofrequency ablation

Endoluminal Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the entire stricture length will be performed using the Habib probe. A current of 7W will be delivered for 90s intervals at a time. If multiple ablation sessions are needed in order to ablate the entire stricture lenght, there will be an overlap of ablated areas in order to ensure proper stricture treatment. Dilation of the stricture prior to RFA delivery will be performed if required. After RFA treatment, biliary drainage of all hepatic territories will be ensured.

Endoscopic biliary stenting will be performed via ERCP using multiple plastic stents, in order to ensure propper drainage of all accessed hepatic territories.

Sponsors

Clinical Hospital Colentina
Lead SponsorOTHER
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy
CollaboratorOTHER
Universitatea din Bucuresti
CollaboratorOTHER
Asociatia pentru cercetare si educatie in gastroenterologie (ACEG)
CollaboratorUNKNOWN

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* perihilar cholangiocarcinoma * locally advanced disease (unresectable) * M1 (limted to 1 site)

Exclusion criteria

* refusal to sogn the ICF * poor performance status (ECOG \>2) * surgically altered anatomy (i.e Bilroth II or Roux-en-Y interventions) * significant comorbidities * ASA score \>3 * life expectancy \<3 months

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Technical success of ERCP procedure2 monthsAbility to correctly apply radiofrequency ablation and place stents in all the biliary ducts accessed on ERCP
Tumor response6 monthsTo evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in local disease control by assessing tumor response according to RECIST criteria at 6 months follow-up

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Rate of procedure-related adverse events12 monthsTo evaluate the safety profile of the procedure by assessing the rate of procedure-related adverse events according to the ASGE lexicon (cholangitis, bleeding, perforation, pancreatitis) after endoscopic treatment
Overall survival12 monthsTo assess patient survival rates at 12 months follow-up
Tumor microenvironment alterations2 monthsTo evaluate the expression of programmed death (PD)-1 / PD- ligand 1 markers on biopsy samples of tumor tissue obtained at the index and follow-up ERCP procedure

Countries

Romania

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 30, 2026