Using RF Vapor Ablation to Eliminate Insulin Needs in Type 2 Diabetes

A Pilot Human Study of the Safety, Tolerability and Effectiveness of the Aqua Medical Circumferential RF Vapor (RFV) Ablation System for Duodenal Mucosal Ablation for the Management of Insulin Requiring Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

This study is testing whether a new procedure called radiofrequency vapor ablation, with or without a diabetes medication, can help people with Type 2 Diabetes stop needing insulin.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 16 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Aqua Medical, Inc. (Industry-sponsored)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Santiago)
• Trial ID: NCT06655740 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency vapor ablation (RFVA) of the duodenal mucosa, with or without the addition of Semaglutide, as a treatment to eliminate the need for insulin therapy in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D). It is a prospective, open-label pilot study involving adults aged 18 to 65 who have been diagnosed with T2D for at least one year. Participants must be on stable doses of insulin and meet specific health criteria, including certain levels of glycated hemoglobin and body mass index. The study will assess both the safety of the procedure and its potential to improve diabetes management.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 65 with Type 2 Diabetes who have been on stable insulin therapy for at least three months.

Not a fit: Patients with Type 1 diabetes or those with a history of severe hypoglycemia may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could potentially eliminate the need for insulin therapy in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies exploring RFVA for diabetes management have shown promise, but this specific application is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults ≥18 years old but ≤ 65 years old. (Women of childbearing potential must be using one acceptable methods of contraception throughout the study.)
2. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus for ≥1 year but ≤ 8 years duration.
3. Glycated haemoglobin ≤ 8.0% (64 mmol/mol).
4. Fasting serum C-peptide ≥ 0.6 ng/mL.
5. Body mass index ≥ 27.5 and ≤ 42.5 kg/m2.
6. On a daily insulin (basal or combined with short-acting) for at least three months, with a dose ≤ 0.6 U/kg, with a stable dose (≤ 20%) over the last month.
7. Able to comply with study requirements and understand and sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus
2. Any history of diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar nonketotic coma
3. Current use of insulin pump.
4. Current, or within the last 3 months, use of a GLP-1 analogue.
5. Current use of a long-acting sulphonylureas (e.g. glibenclamide, chlorpropamide, glimepiride, glyburide)
6. History of severe hypoglycemia (more than 1 severe hypoglycemic event, as defined by need for third-party assistance, in the last year).
7. Known autoimmune disease, including but not limited to celiac disease, duodenal Crohn disease or pre-existing symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma or other systemic autoimmune connective tissue disorder.
8. Previous gastrointestinal surgery that could limit treatment of the duodenum such as Billroth 2, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, or other similar procedures or conditions. (Prior laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) will not be an exclusion).
9. History of pancreatitis (acute or chronic).
10. Known diabetic gastroparesis.
11. Persistent anaemia, defined as haemoglobin ≤ 9 g/dL
12. Known active hepatitis or active liver disease.
13. Acute gastrointestinal illness in the previous 7 days.
14. Known history of severe irritable bowel syndrome, radiation enteritis or other inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease.
15. 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 moderate-severe (Grade C or D) esophagitis, dysphagia due to achalasia or stricture/stenosis, esophageal varices, esophageal perforation, or any other disorder of the esophagus.
16. Upper gastrointestinal conditions such as active ulcers, polyps, varices, strictures, congenital or acquired duodenal telangiectasia.
17. Current use of anticoagulation therapy (e.g. warfarin) or direct-acting oral anticoagulants (e.g. rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban and dabigatran) that cannot be discontinued for 3-5 days before and 7 days after the procedure.
18. Current use of P2Y12 inhibitors (clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor) that cannot be discontinued for 5 days before and 7 days after the procedure.
19. Unable to discontinue non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during treatment through 4 weeks following the procedure. Use of acetaminophen and low dose aspirin is allowed.
20. Use of systemic glucocorticoids (excluding topical or ophthalmic application or inhaled forms) for more than 10 consecutive days within 12 weeks prior to the baseline visit.
21. Use of drugs known to affect gastrointestinal motility (e.g. Metoclopramide)
22. Use of weight loss medications such as Sibutramine (e.g. Meridia), Orlistat (e.g. Xenical), Phentermine or over-the-counter weight loss medications (prescription medication)
23. Significant cardiovascular disease, including known history of valvular disease, or myocardial infarction, heart failure, transient ischemic attack, or stroke within 6 months prior to the Screening Visit.
24. Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
25. Uncontrolled thyroid disease
26. Mean of 3 separate blood pressure measurements \>180 mmHg (systolic) or \>100 mmHg (diastolic).
27. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤ 45 ml/min/1.73m2 (estimated by MDRD).
28. 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 participant a poor candidate for clinical trial participation in the opinion of the investigator.
29. Active illicit substance abuse or alcoholism (\>2 drinks/day regularly)
30. Active malignancy within the last 5 years (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers)
31. Active systemic infection
32. Women who are currently breastfeeding.
33. Pregnancy or wish to get pregnant in the next year.
34. Participating in another ongoing clinical trial of an investigational drug or device.
35. Any other mental or physical condition which, in the opinion of the study investigator, makes the participant a poor candidate for clinical trial participation.
36. Critically ill or has a life expectancy \< 3 years.
37. Use of heart pacemaker or other electronic device implants
38. General contraindications to deep or conscious sedation, general anesthesia, high risk as determined by anesthesiologist (e.g., ASA score 4 or higher), or contraindications to upper GI endoscopy.

Where this trial is running

Santiago

• Clinica Colonial — Santiago, Chile (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Krithika Rupnarayan, MD

Conditions Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2