Cutting-edge research presentations at CIRSE 2025

September 29, 2025

Data from the newest research studies debuted at CIRSE 2025.

Out of the many thought-provoking sessions held at CIRSE 2025 from September 13-17, the FIRST@CIRSE sessions were two of the most insightful. These sessions place new and upcoming interventional radiology research in the spotlight and allow participants to hear directly from investigators about research results, lessons learned, and future research goals.

First data release on vascular IR trials and studies

Dr. Michael Lichtenberg provided new insights into the twelve-month outcomes of the SUCCESS PTA study, which seeks to collect safety and efficacy data on the SELUTION SLR™ sirolimus-eluting balloon in peripheral arterial disease patients. Over 700 patients with ATK and BTK lesions participated in the study, making it the largest real-world study of a sirolimus drug-eluting balloon. Positive results were observed and support the technology’s utility in clinical practice.

Next was Dr. Mårten Falkenberg, who presented on the SWEDEPAD 1 and 2 trials, which set out to investigate the impact of drug-coated balloons and stents in patients with chronic lower limb occlusive disease in Sweden. The use of drug-coated devices, did not reduce amputations for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia, and quality of life in patients with intermittent claudication did not improve; furthermore, despite a reduction in interventions during the first year for ischemia patients, there was increased five-year mortality in claudication patients, a surprising finding that Dr. Falkenberg addressed during the Q&A, “That is going to be the focus for the next year or half-year, to try to pinpoint that might be due to.”

Dr. Fernando Gómez Muñoz spoke about the first stage of the Safety and Efficacy of Amber Peripheral Liquid Embolic System (OPAL) study in Spain. Zero serious adverse events related to the device were reported, and the rate of complete vascular occlusion was 100%, suggesting that the Amber SEL-P is a safe and effective embolic agent for peripheral vascular occlusion.

Prof. Olivier Pellerin gave a lecture on results from the ALN OATF Vena Cava Filter (CONFIAL) study. There was 100% technical success in both the filter placements and removals with a low average tilt rate of six degrees, and no patients had recurrence of pulmonary embolism. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen a new filter device,” commented Prof. John Kaufman, a session moderator.

The closing presentation of the session was delivered by Dr. Konstantinos Katsanos on the SAVE randomized controlled trial. Like the SUCCESS PTA study, the SAVE study also investigates the SELUTION SLR™ sirolimus-eluting balloon but to test its safety and feasibility for treating failed arteriovenous fistula in renal dialysis patients in Greece and Singapore. In comparing the SELUTION SLR™ DEB and an uncoated balloon (POBA), the target lesion primary patency level (the primary efficacy endpoint) was 82.5% vs. 67.5%, respectively, indicating the SELUTION SLR™ DEB was more effective at maintaining target-lesion primary patency at six months.

First data release on various IR trials and studies

The second FIRST@CIRSE session included presentations on arterial intervention and interventional oncology.

In the opening presentation, Prof. Tze Min Wah presented the results from the HistoSonics system for treatment of primary solid renal tumours using histotripsy (CAIN) trial. Histotripsy, a novel therapy, delivers short, high-pressure ultrasound pulses at a precise focal point to generate cavitation (bubble cloud). The pilot trial aimed to generate data to support a pivotal trial for the HistoSonics Investigational System for use in the kidney. The trial was a technical success with an efficacy of 90%; the volume of ablation zones involuted quickly over a 30-day period.

Shifting to pancreatic cancer, Danielle Vos spoke on the Safety and feasibility of CT-guided percutaneous radionuclide therapy with the OncoSil™ device in patients with non-progressive locally advanced pancreatic cancer (PANCOSIL) study. The PANCOSIL study is the first in the world to administer OncoSil™ via percutaneous injection under CT-imaging guidance for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The technical success rate was 90%, demonstrating the safety and feasibility of the procedure.

Prof. Laura Crocetti discussed the results of the study Cost-benefit analysis of selective internal radiation therapy with Y-90 glass microspheres versus drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in Italy. Leveraging data from the TRACE study, investigators found that despite the initially higher cost of TARE, radioembolization with Y-90 glass microspheres offered a higher survival over two years compared to DEB-TACE and delivered a lower cost per lived year, indicating cost-effectiveness. The paper has been accepted for future publication by CVIR.

Prof. Masatoshi Kudo gave insights from the TALENTACE phase 3, open-label, randomized study. The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of on-demand TACE combined with atezo and bev compared to TACE alone in patients with untreated, intermediate-to-high tumour burden hepatocellular carcinoma in China and Japan. Data demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in TACE progression-free survival, suggesting that the use of atezo and bev with TACE could serve as a new and effective treatment option for this patient group.

Prof. Marianne Brodmann provided insights on the Biotronik Dynetic-35 cobalt chromium balloon-expandable stent for iliac lesions: 24-month results of the BIONETIC-I multi-center study. Conducted across six European countries, the study continues to show the good efficacy and safety of the stent, including a freedom from major adverse events rate of nearly 94%; another follow-up is planned in three years.

Concluding the session with another presentation related to Y-90 microspheres, Prof. Cheenu Kappadath delivered an interim analysis of the DOORwaY90: Selective Internal Radiation Therapy using SIR-Spheres Y-90 Resin Microspheres as first-line treatment for unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma patients study—the first pivotal, prospective, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study of Y-90 resin microspheres using partition dosimetry for treatment planning. Notably, the study had positive results that led to the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Y-90 resin microspheres to treat unresectable HCC using partition dosimetry.

These FIRST@CIRSE presentations highlighted the breadth of innovation shaping the future of interventional radiology, from groundbreaking devices to pivotal clinical trials with direct impact on patient care.