DFINE completes initial phase of STAR Tumor Ablation System trial

Jun 15 2012

DFINE, Inc., the developer of minimally invasive radiofrequency (RF) targeted therapies for the treatment of vertebral pathologies, today announced an upcoming poster presentation at the World Congress of Interventional Oncology (WCIO), June 14-18 in Chicago. The poster, "Radiofrequency Ablation and Vertebral Augmentation of Bone Metastasis of the Spine: Early Experience of a Novel Minimally-Invasive Technology," will be presented on Thursday, June 14 at 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 3:45-5:00 p.m. and on Saturday, June 16 at 4:00-5:00 p.m. The poster covers the initial pre-clinical and clinical use of the STAR™ Tumor Ablation System using targeted radiofrequency ablation (t-RFA) for the treatment of metastatic vertebral body tumors.    

"Our goal is to work closely with the interventional and oncology professional communities to obtain clinical evidence and continually advance our knowledge of the role of t-RFA with the STAR System in the palliative treatment of patients with painful vertebral body metastasis," said Kevin Mosher, Chief Executive Officer of DFINE. "Early results have been encouraging, and we are pleased to share this data with the Interventional Oncology Community at WCIO."

DFINE recently completed the initial phase of its U.S. commercial release of the STAR System. More than 50 patients have been treated at 26 centers across the country since the initial product rollout in March 2012.

Unlike other currently available ablation devices designed for soft tissue, the STAR System was developed specifically for bone and the unique anatomy of the spine. The benefits of the system include:

• Minimally invasive, targeted procedure
• Rapid pain relief
• Compatible with current treatment algorithms
• Alternative for patients who have reached their cumulative toxicity limit
• Potential treatment for radio-resistant lesions
• Pain reduction prior to radiotherapy

According to Jack Jennings, Assistant Professor of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (Wash U), the STAR System is a dramatic step forward in the palliative treatment of metastatic spinal tumors.

"The STAR System provides us with a promising option for the treatment of patients suffering from the debilitating effects of spine tumors," he said. "We've been pleased with the initial results seen with t-RFA. It has allowed us to easily access tumors in certain locations in the spine that were previously difficult to reach. Patients have experienced very rapid pain relief and have been able to continue with systemic therapy to treat their primary cancer. We look forward to integrating this therapy into our program at Wash U and beginning a prospective clinical trial."