Vitus Privatklinik has developed one of Europe’s longest-running non-thermal prostate cancer programs. This document outlines the clinical experience, published outcomes, and therapeutic expansion that support its position among experienced centres offering alternatives to surgery and radiation.
Program Overview (2011–2026)
Founded in 2011 in Offenbach, Germany, Vitus Privatklinik was an early clinical adopter of irreversible electroporation (IRE) for prostate cancer and began building a structured non-thermal prostate cancer treatment program.
The clinic has performed over 2,000 electroporation-based treatments and published peer-reviewed retrospective cohort analyses on both IRE and electrochemotherapy (ECT). The IRE study included 471 treatments with up to six years of follow-up, while the ECT cohort comprised 144 patients, including those with high-risk and locally advanced disease.
With over 15 years of continuous clinical application, Vitus is among the most experienced single-center IRE programs internationally. The clinic uses these therapies for selected recurrent and locally advanced cases, including patients unsuitable for standard surgery or radiation, and has developed combination IRE–ECT protocols for specific tumour presentations.
Program Distinctions
- Among the earliest clinical adopters of irreversible electroporation (IRE) for prostate cancer
- One of Europe’s longest-running non-thermal prostate cancer programs
- Published one of the largest single-center IRE cohorts reported to date
- Introduced electrochemotherapy (ECT) for prostate cancer
- Developed combination IRE–ECT treatment protocols
- Applies electroporation-based therapies in recurrent and locally advanced cases
- Treats patients who are not candidates for surgery or radiation
Clinical Context and Contribution
Surgery and radiation remain the standard treatments for localized and locally advanced prostate cancer. However, minimally invasive focal therapies are gaining attention as clinicians seek options that control disease while preserving urinary continence and sexual function.
Long-term clinical experience and published outcome data are central to evaluating safety, efficacy, and appropriate patient selection. Through early adoption of non-thermal electroporation techniques and sustained publication of institutional results, the Vitus program has contributed real-world evidence supporting the clinical application of focal prostate cancer therapy.
Published Clinical Outcomes: Irreversible Electroporation (IRE)
In 2017, the clinic published a retrospective cohort analysis of 471 IRE treatments using irreversible electroporation (IRE) performed in 429 patients across all grades and stages of prostate cancer, with follow-up up to six years.
| Metric | Outcome |
| Total Treatments | 471 |
| Patients | 429 |
| Continence Preservation | 100% (evaluated) |
| Persistent ED (12 months) | 3% |
| 5-Year Recurrence (Gleason 6) | 5.6% |
| 5-Year Recurrence (Gleason 7) | 14.6% |
| 5-Year Recurrence (Gleason 8–10) | 39.5% |
At the end of the observation period, IRE showed five-year recurrence rates comparable to contemporary radical prostatectomy in similar risk groups. Functional outcomes were preserved, with 100% continence and a 3% rate of persistent erectile dysfunction at 12 months.
As a single-institution retrospective cohort analysis, these findings reflect real-world clinical experience but are not derived from randomized comparative trials.
Beyond localized disease, IRE was also applied in recurrent cases and selected advanced tumours not suitable for surgery or radiation therapy.
Published Clinical Outcomes: Electrochemotherapy (ECT)
Electrochemotherapy remains uncommon in prostate cancer treatment internationally. Vitus Privatklinik introduced this approach in 2016 and published the first institutional retrospective cohort evaluating its application in prostate cancer patients.
The study included 144 men with prostate cancer, including those ineligible for or who declined standard therapies. Follow-up included PSA monitoring, MRI-based response assessment at three months using RECIST criteria, and standardized evaluations of urinary and erectile function.
| Cohort Characteristics | |
| Characteristic | Value |
| High-Risk Disease | 86% |
| T3–T4 (Locally Advanced) | 65% |
| Clinical Outcomes | |
| Outcome | Result |
| Technical Success | 100% |
| Complete Response | 75% |
| 1-Year Progression-Free Survival | 88% (95% CI: 80–97%) |
| Disease Progression During Follow-Up | 13% |
| Persistent Severe Erectile Dysfunction | 0.70% |
At the end of the study, electrochemotherapy was found to be feasible and safe in the evaluated cohort, with low rates of significant toxicity. Early results showed encouraging signs of local disease control, including in patients with high-risk and locally advanced disease.
As a retrospective institutional series, these findings should be interpreted in the context of ongoing clinical evaluation and the absence of randomized comparative data.
Program Evolution and Multimodal Expansion (2011–Present)
2010
IRE introduced for the treatment of prostate cancer
The VITUS Clinic is founded and is the first in Europe to offer Irreversible Electroporation (Nanoknife). This innovative method is and remains one of the most effective treatments, almost completely eliminating side effects such as impotence and incontinence.
2015
IR-ECT – combination of IRE and ECT
VITUS develops IR-ECT and thus creates a new solution for the treatment of tumors in sensitive areas.
2016
First prostate electrochemotherapy
The clinic carries out the world’s first electrochemotherapy (ECT) for prostate cancer – an ideal treatment for larger or more complex tumors.
2022
Immunotherapy with Keytruda introduced
VITUS combines Keytruda with focal therapy to boost the immune response and fight advanced, metastatic prostate cancer and reduce the risk of recurrence.
2023
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) introduced
Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a gentle, laser-activated treatment, is available for suitable patients . It preserves the ability to ejaculate and enables shorter recovery times.
2024
Introduction of immunotherapy priming
VITUS is developing priming, an innovative method for preparing the immune system prior to focal therapy through the targeted release of tumor antigens. In combination with immunotherapy, we have observed impressive results to date .
Since 2011, the Vitus prostate cancer program has expanded from localized IRE treatment to a broader multimodal framework.
Initial clinical implementation focused on irreversible electroporation (IRE) for localized tumours. At Vitus, electrodes are placed manually under live ultrasound guidance rather than through fixed grid systems, allowing individualized treatment planning based on tumour geometry.
Electrochemotherapy was later introduced and applied in selected higher-risk and locally advanced cases. In recent years, additional modalities such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), immunotherapy with pembrolizumab, and immunotherapy-priming strategies have been incorporated when appropriate.
This progression reflects the development of a structured multimodal prostate cancer treatment program.
Treatment Philosophy
Vitus Privatklinik’s approach to prostate cancer treatment focuses on achieving effective tumour control while preserving quality of life whenever medically appropriate.
Treatment decisions are individualized based on tumour characteristics, prior therapies, and patient priorities. Electroporation-based therapies are selected in carefully chosen cases to minimize collateral tissue injury and reduce the risk of long-term functional impairment.
The program emphasizes careful patient selection, multidisciplinary input, and structured follow-up to monitor both oncologic and functional outcomes over time.
- Stevanovic M, Heringer M, Hjouj M, Zanasi A, Terlizzi F, Stehling MK. Prostate cancer treatment with electrochemotherapy (ECT): safety, efficacy and clinical experience in 144 patients. Radiol Oncol. 2025;59(4):597-606. Published 2025 Dec 16. doi:10.2478/raon-2025-0061
- Guenther E, Klein N, Zapf S, et al. Prostate cancer treatment with Irreversible Electroporation (IRE): Safety, efficacy and clinical experience in 471 treatments. PLoS One. 2019;14(4):e0215093. Published 2019 Apr 15. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0215093