A new endoscopic procedure for treating severe obesity

Safety and Feasibility of HybridAPC for Gastric Mucosal Ablation in the Management of Patients With Class III Obesity

This study is testing a new, less invasive procedure for treating severe obesity to see if it can help people lose weight safely without traditional surgery.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 15 (estimated)
• Ages: 21 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH (industry)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (São Paulo)
• Trial ID: NCT05574777 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the safety and feasibility of Gastric Mucosal Ablation (GMA), a minimally invasive weight loss technique using Hybrid Argonplasma Coagulation (HAPC). The procedure aims to treat Class III obesity without the need for traditional surgery. Participants will undergo an endoscopic procedure that combines argon plasma coagulation with waterjet submucosal injection. The primary endpoint is to assess any complications related to the procedure using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 to 75 with Class III obesity who have not previously undergone bariatric surgery or endoscopic therapy.

Not a fit: Patients requiring insulin therapy or with poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c > 8.5%) may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this procedure could provide a less invasive option for significant weight loss in patients with severe obesity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies on endoscopic bariatric therapies have shown promising results, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female patients with class III obesity (BMI = 40 and BMI \> 40)
2. Age 21 - 75 yrs.
3. Treatment naïve for bariatric surgery or endoscopic bariatric therapy
4. Agree to avoid any use of weight loss medications such as Meridia, Saxenda, Januvia, Xenical, or over the counter weight loss medications or supplements throughout the study.
5. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must agree to use acceptable contraception methods.
6. Agree not to donate blood during their participation in the study.
7. Able to comply with study requirements and understand and sign the Informed Consent Form.
8. Stable weight defined as a fluctuation of less than 5% for at least 3 months prior to screening visit.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. 1) Patients requiring exogenous insulin.
2. HbA1c \> 8.5 %
3. Pregnant or breast-feeding or intending to get pregnant during the study.
4. Unwilling or unable to complete the patient diary, or comply with study visits and other study procedures as required per protocol.
5. History of diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar nonketotic coma.
6. Probable insulin production failure, defined as fasting C-Peptide serum \< 1 ng/mL (333 pmol/l).
7. Previous use of any types of insulin for \> 1 month (at any time, except for treatment of gestational diabetes).
8. Change in diabetic treatment within the last three months.
9. Use of glucose-lowering drugs for diabetes mellitus treatment with the exception of sulfonylurea (SU), biguanides, sodium dependent glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and metformin (previously used for at least 3 months.
10. Change of diabetes medication or doses 12 weeks prior to screening visit.
11. Hypoglycemia unawareness or a history of severe hypoglycemia (more than 1 severe hypoglycemic event, as defined by need for third-party-assistance, in the last year).
12. Known autoimmune disease, including but not limited to celiac disease, or pre-existing symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma or other autoimmune connective tissue disorder.
13. Previous upper GI surgery, or other endoscopic bariatric procedures or conditions, prior intra-gastric balloon or another gastric implant.
14. History of diabetic gastroparesis.
15. Known active hepatitis or active liver disease.
16. Acute gastrointestinal illness in the previous 7 days.
17. Known history irritable bowel syndrome, radiation enteritis or other inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease.
18. Known history of a structural or functional disorder of the esophagus that may impede passage of the device through the gastrointestinal tract or increase risk of esophageal damage during an endoscopic procedure, including Barrett's esophagus, esophagitis, dysphagia, achalasia, stricture/stenosis, esophageal varices, esophageal diverticula, esophageal perforation, or any other disorder of the esophagus.
19. Known history of a structural or functional disorder of the esophagus, including any swallowing disorder, esophageal chest pain disorders, or drug refractory esophageal reflux symptoms.
20. Known history of a structural or functional disorder of the stomach including gastroparesis, gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis, gastric varices, hiatal hernia (\>3 cm), cancer or any other disorder of the stomach.
21. Known history of chronic symptoms suggestive of a structural or functional disorder of the stomach, including any symptoms of chronic upper abdominal pain, chronic nausea, chronic vomiting, chronic dyspepsia or symptoms suggestive of gastroparesis, including post-prandial fullness or pain, post-prandial nausea or vomiting or early satiety.
22. Currently have ongoing symptoms suggestive of intermittent small bowel obstruction, such as recurrent bouts of post-prandial abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.
23. Active H. pylori infection (Subjects with active H. pylori may continue with the screening process if they are treated with an appropriate antibiotic regimen.
24. History of coagulopathy, upper gastrointestinal bleeding conditions such as ulcers, gastric varices, strictures, congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia.
25. Current use of anticoagulation therapy
26. Obligate use of anti-inflammatory drugs that cannot be suspended for a minimum of 4 weeks post procedure
27. Use of systemic glucocorticoids (excluding topical or ophthalmic application or inhaled forms) for more than 10 consecutive days within 90 days prior to the Screening Visit.
28. Use of drugs known to affect GI motility (e.g. Metoclopramide).
29. Receiving any weight loss medications such as Meridia, Xenical, Saxenda, Januvia, Duromine or over the counter weight loss medications at screening.
30. Untreated/inadequately treated hypothyroidism, defined as an elevated Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level at Screening; if on thyroid hormone replacement therapy, must be on stable dose for at least 6 weeks prior to Screening.
31. Persistent Anemia, defined as Hemoglobin \<10 g/dL.
32. Significant cardiovascular disease including known history of valvular disease, or myocardial infarction, heart failure, transient ischemic attack or stroke within the last 6 months.
33. Known moderate or severe chronic kidney disease (CKD), with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<45 ml/min/1.73m2 (estimated by MDRD).
34. Known immunocompromised status, including but not limited to individuals who have undergone organ transplantation, chemotherapy or radiotherapy within the past 12 months, who have clinically-significant leukopenia, who are positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or whose immune status makes the subject a poor candidate for clinical trial participation in the opinion of the Investigator.
35. Active systemic infection.
36. Active malignancy within the last 5 years (with the exception of treated basal cell or treated squamous cell carcinoma).
37. Subjects with an established diagnosis of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 1.
38. Not a candidate for surgery or general anesthesia.
39. Active illicit substance abuse or alcoholism.
40. Current smoker or smoking history in the last six months.
41. Participating in another ongoing clinical trial of an investigational drug or device.
42. Any other mental or physical condition which, in the opinion of the Investigator, makes the subject a poor candidate for clinical trial participation.
43. Other medical condition that does not allow for endoscopic procedure.

Where this trial is running

São Paulo

• Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo — São Paulo, Brazil (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Eduardo Guimarães H. de Moura, Prof. Dr. — Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo - Brasil
• Study coordinator: Helena Paschoale

Conditions: Adiposity, Morbid, Obesity, Endoscopic bariatric therapy, Hybrid Argonplasma Coagulation