Multimodal Tumor Treatment System

Developed by Meijie Medical, the Multimodal Tumor Treatment System represents the world’s first approved ablation platform integrating cryogenic freezing and radiofrequency heating technologies. Receiving NMPA Class III innovative medical device approval in June 2023, this system enables precision-controlled tumor destruction while potentially stimulating anti-cancer immune responses.

Product Overview

The Multimodal Tumor Treatment System emerged from over two decades of research at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, translating thermal biophysics principles into clinical oncology applications. Unlike conventional single-modality ablation devices that rely solely on heat (radiofrequency, microwave) or cold (cryoablation), this system sequentially combines both energy types through precise thermal dose control.

The platform addresses fundamental limitations of existing ablation technologies: thermal ablation alone can cause significant pain, poor tolerance, and invisible treatment boundaries, while cryoablation carries risks of edge recurrence and post-procedure bleeding. By integrating both modalities with real-time temperature monitoring, the system achieves visible ablation zones, reduced complications, and potentially enhanced immunogenic tumor destruction.

Key Features

Dual-Modality Energy Delivery: The system performs controlled pre-freezing of target tissue using liquid nitrogen, followed by precision radiofrequency heating. This sequential process reduces tissue impedance, improves RF energy transmission efficiency, and creates predictable ablation boundaries.

Real-Time Visualization: Unlike conventional thermal ablation where treatment zones cannot be directly observed, the multimodal approach enables visible ablation boundary control through temperature mapping. Physicians can monitor procedure progress and confirm complete tumor coverage.

Precision Temperature Control: Proprietary algorithms manage the thermal transition from cryogenic to hyperthermic conditions, achieving treatment precision improvements of over 10-fold compared to single-modality ablation per manufacturer data.

Immunogenic Cell Death Mechanism: The controlled cryothermal process is designed to rupture tumor cells and microvasculature in situ, releasing tumor-specific antigens. This may remodel the tumor microenvironment and stimulate systemic T-cell mediated anti-tumor immunity, potentially addressing distant metastases beyond the ablation zone.

Optimized Ablation Needle Design: The needle system features engineered solutions for efficient phase-change heat transfer, RF shielding at the treatment segment for accurate temperature feedback, and ultra-thin vacuum insulation at non-treatment segments to protect surrounding healthy tissue.

Technical Specifications

Approved in June 2023, Meijie Medical’s system combines liquid nitrogen cryoablation with radiofrequency heating, reducing procedure time 40% versus multi-cycle cryoablation while improving precision more than 10-fold.

Clinical Applications

The Multimodal Tumor Treatment System is indicated for percutaneous, image-guided ablation of solid tumors. Current approved indications include:

Liver Tumors: The initial approved indication covers primary and secondary liver malignancies. Clinical studies at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center demonstrated that patients receiving multimodal ablation achieved median disease-free survival improvements of 240 days compared to conventional radiofrequency ablation in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma cases.

Lung Tumors: The April 2025 indication expansion enables treatment of lung malignancies. The technology offers advantages for tumors adjacent to critical structures (blood vessels, airways, pleura) where conventional thermal ablation carries elevated complication risks. The pre-freezing step reduces bleeding risk while RF heating provides definitive tumor destruction.

Clinical deployment has occurred at major Chinese medical centers including:

• Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine affiliated Ruijin Hospital
• Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital
• Zhejiang University Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital
• Shanghai Chest Hospital
• Naval Medical University First Affiliated Hospital

Regulatory Status

The system entered NMPA’s Innovative Medical Device Special Review pathway in November 2020, reflecting its novel mechanism and potential clinical benefits. The June 2023 approval made it the first globally approved multimodal tumor ablation system combining cryogenic and radiofrequency technologies.

Clinical Evidence

The regulatory approval was supported by comparative clinical studies conducted at leading Chinese oncology centers:

• Patients receiving multimodal ablation for advanced liver tumors demonstrated 240-day improvement in median disease-free survival compared to conventional RF ablation control groups
• The treatment approach reportedly reduces procedure-related pain and improves patient tolerance compared to thermal-only ablation
• Treatment time is reduced by approximately 40% compared to conventional multi-cycle cryoablation procedures

The first-in-human procedure was performed in June 2021 by Professor Li Wentao’s team at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center on a liver tumor patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Multimodal Tumor Treatment System work?

The system performs sequential cryothermal ablation: first, liquid nitrogen pre-freezing reduces tumor tissue temperature and electrical impedance. Subsequently, radiofrequency energy heats the pre-frozen tissue, creating controlled tumor destruction. The combined approach enables visible ablation boundaries, reduced bleeding risk, and potentially enhanced immunogenic cell death that may stimulate systemic anti-tumor immunity.

What tumors can be treated with this system?

Currently approved indications include liver tumors (primary hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver disease) and lung tumors. The system is designed for solid tumor ablation through percutaneous, image-guided procedures. Treatment of tumors in other organs may be explored in future clinical development.

How does multimodal ablation compare to conventional radiofrequency or microwave ablation?

Key differences include: combined cryogenic and thermal energy delivery rather than heat-only approach; visible ablation zone boundaries for improved treatment confirmation; reported 10-fold improvement in treatment precision; potentially reduced pain and improved patient tolerance; and theoretical immunogenic benefits from controlled tumor antigen release. Clinical data suggests 240-day improvement in disease-free survival for advanced liver cancer compared to conventional RF ablation.

Is this system available outside China?

As of early 2026, the Multimodal Tumor Treatment System has received regulatory approval only in China through NMPA. International regulatory submissions (CE Mark for Europe, FDA clearance for United States) have not been publicly disclosed. The system is currently deployed at major Chinese tertiary hospitals with interventional oncology programs.