Key Points
- The first Foundation workshop dedicated to advancing treatment for uterine fibroids was held on April 16.
- The recording of the event, which featured worldwide experts in the field, is now available.
On April 16, the Foundation partnered with Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (Haifu Medical) to host a virtual workshop on advances in the use of focused ultrasound for the treatment of uterine fibroids. This was the first Foundation workshop dedicated to uterine fibroids, which affect up to half of women in their childbearing years.
Nearly 40 key stakeholders—including researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and government representatives—attended the half-day event. The workshop’s primary goal was to discuss how to improve patient outcomes and reduce barriers to focused ultrasound access for fibroid treatments. Workshop participants identified gaps in knowledge and the evidence that is needed to create a roadmap for improving the technological challenges, clinical trials, and commercialization strategies needed for this application.
Each of the four sessions addressed one of the following burning questions:
- What Is the safety and efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound compared with other standard of care procedures?
- How can we optimize focused ultrasound treatment? What innovations are necessary to enhance adoption in clinical practice?
- In what patient population would focused ultrasound for fibroids be most beneficial, especially as it relates to preserving fertility?
- How can we enhance commercialization of a focused ultrasound machine for fibroids? What regulatory and reimbursement issues need to be addressed?
“Millions of women around the world continue to endure pain, loss of productivity, and decreased quality of life from uterine fibroids,” said Dr. Suzanne LeBlang, MD, the Foundation’s director of clinical relationships. “There is clearly need for another treatment option other than surgery, invasive procedures, and medications – which often are associated with significant side effects and high costs. Focused ultrasound is an incisionless, office-based procedure that has been fine-tuned over the past few years with improved hardware and software that can effectively and safely treat fibroids. The Foundation is dedicated to making this therapy widely available, so patients have a choice in which treatment option is best for them.
“I also want to extend my thanks to Chongqing Haifu for their support of this meeting and the workshop’s steering committee – Pejman Ghanouni, MD, PhD, Martijn Boomsma, MD, PhD, Loes Knorren, MD, Selva Supermaniam, MD, and Rosie Xing, PhD – for helping to build an impactful program.”
A recording of the workshop is now available, and a white paper summarizing the outcomes of the meeting is forthcoming.