An interventional study of Optilume Drug Coated Balloon (DCB) and Control Treatment in Urethral Stricture, sponsored by Urotronic Inc.. Active, not recruiting at 22 sites in 2 countries. Open to male participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-19.
Sponsored by Urotronic Inc. · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
ROBUST III is a prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled adaptive sample size clinical trial to establish the safety and effectiveness for the Optilume Stricture Drug Coated Balloon (DCB).
ROBUST III is a prospective, multi-center, single blind randomized controlled clinical trial in a 2:1 allocation of treatment versus control device.
This study is an adaptive design with an interim analysis for sample size re-estimation performed after 60 subjects have been enrolled. The interim analysis will be be undertaken following completion of the 6-month follow-up data from these subjects. Based on the results of the interim analysis, the final total sample size required for the study will be re-estimated. A minimum of 140 subjects, and a maximum of 200 subjects (pending the re-estimation) will be enrolled in the study. A Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) will review the interim analysis results, including the sample size re-estimation and make recommendations related to trial continuation to the sponsor.
72 studies on the registry are indexed under Urethral Stricture; 25 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 127 is above the median of 60 across 56 interventional studies indexed under Urethral Stricture.
Browse Urethral Stricture studies →Urotronic Inc. is the lead sponsor of 10 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.
Hypersensitivity
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Investigational drug or device
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HbA1c
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Clinically significant
Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The treatment arm will be the Urotronic Optilume Drug Coated Balloon (DCB).
Device: Optilume Drug Coated Balloon (DCB)
The control arm will be treated by a urethral dilation method considered to be best standard of care for the study site and subject. A control treatment may be either a rod, uncoated balloon or DVIU.
Device: Control Treatment
The Optilume Drug Coated Balloon (DCB) is a guidewire compatible catheter with a tapered atraumatic tip. The distal end of the catheter has an inflatable balloon coated with a proprietary coating containing the drug paclitaxel that facilitates the drug's transfer to the urethral wall upon inflation.
A control subject may be dilated with either a rod, uncoated balloon or DVIU until the desired result is reached, based on standard of care for the clinical site and treating physician
Also known as: Uncoated dilation balloon, Direct Vision Internal Urethrotomy (DVIU), Rigid Rod
Percentage of Subjects Stricture Free
The percentage of subjects deemed to be stricture free will be compared between arms. Stricture free subjects are those for which a 16F flexible cystoscope or 14F Foley catheter is able to be passed through the treated stricture without significant resistance.
Time frame: 6 months
Safety: Rate of Major Device or Procedure Related Complications
Rate of Major Device or Procedure Related complications
Time frame: 3 months
Change in Qmax (Peak Flow Rate)
Change in peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) from baseline to 6 months post treatment. Positive values indicate an increase in Qmax from baseline to 6 months, while negative values indicate a decrease in Qmax.
Time frame: 6 months
IPSS Percent Responder (50% Improvement in IPSS Score)
The proportion of subjects considered to be therapeutic responders, defined as an improvement of greater than or equal to 50% in the International Prostate Symptom Score \[IPSS\] without repeat intervention, in the Optilume DCB arm at 12 months will be compared to a performance goal of 50%. The IPSS was developed to measure symptom severity for bladder outlet obstruction, with a range of 0 (no symptoms) to 35 (worst possible symptoms).
Time frame: 12 months
| Milestone | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 79 | 48 |
| Completed | 68 | 21 |
| Not completed | 11 | 27 |
| Withdrew: Lack of efficacy | 6 | 26 |
| Withdrew: Adverse event | 1 | 0 |
| Withdrew: Death | 1 | 0 |
| Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject | 2 | 1 |
| Withdrew: Lost to follow-up | 1 | 0 |
The percentage of subjects deemed to be stricture free will be compared between arms. Stricture free subjects are those for which a 16F flexible cystoscope or 14F Foley catheter is able to be passed through the treated stricture without significant resistance.
| Participants | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of Subjects Stricture Free | 50 | 11 |
Rate of Major Device or Procedure Related complications
| Participants | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Safety: Rate of Major Device or Procedure Related Complications | 0 | 0 |
Change in peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) from baseline to 6 months post treatment. Positive values indicate an increase in Qmax from baseline to 6 months, while negative values indicate a decrease in Qmax.
| mL/Sec | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Qmax (Peak Flow Rate) | 8.8 ± 9.2 | 4.1 ± 7.2 |
The proportion of subjects considered to be therapeutic responders, defined as an improvement of greater than or equal to 50% in the International Prostate Symptom Score \[IPSS\] without repeat intervention, in the Optilume DCB arm at 12 months will be compared to a performance goal of 50%. The IPSS was developed to measure symptom severity for bladder outlet obstruction, with a range of 0 (no symptoms) to 35 (worst possible symptoms).
| Participants | Optilume Treatment |
|---|---|
| IPSS Percent Responder (50% Improvement in IPSS Score) | 39 |
Collected over 1 Year. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optilume Treatment | 1/79 (1.3%) | 9/79 (11.4%) | 51/79 (64.6%) |
| Control Treatment | 0/48 (0%) | 8/48 (16.7%) | 38/48 (79.2%) |
| Event | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary RetentionRenal and urinary disorders | 0/79 | 2/48 |
| COVID-19Infections and infestations | 1/79 | 1/48 |
| Urinary Tract InfectionInfections and infestations | 1/79 | 1/48 |
| Intracranial AneurysmNervous system disorders | 0/79 | 1/48 |
| Thalmus HemorrhageNervous system disorders | 0/79 | 1/48 |
| BradycardiaCardiac disorders | 0/79 | 1/48 |
| Anesthetic Complication - PulmonaryInjury, poisoning and procedural complications | 0/79 | 1/48 |
| Urethral CancerRenal and urinary disorders | 1/79 | 0/48 |
| Pulmonary EmbolismRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 1/79 | 0/48 |
| Lung AdenocarcinomaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 1/79 | 0/48 |
| Event | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Urethral StenosisRenal and urinary disorders | 9/79 | 20/48 |
| Post-Procedure HematuriaInjury, poisoning and procedural complications | 9/79 | 2/48 |
| Urinary Tract InfectionInfections and infestations | 7/79 | 5/48 |
| DysuriaRenal and urinary disorders | 7/79 | 1/48 |
| Urinary RetentionRenal and urinary disorders | 6/79 | 4/48 |
| BacteriuriaInfections and infestations | 5/79 | 2/48 |
| BronchitisRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 0/79 | 3/48 |
| HypersensitivityImmune system disorders | 0/79 | 3/48 |
| Bladder SpasmRenal and urinary disorders | 4/79 | 1/48 |
| CoughRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 4/79 | 2/48 |
| Age, Continuous(Years) | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 58.7 ± 15.5 | 60.6 ± 16.0 | 59.4 ± 15.7 |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Male | 79 | 48 | 127 |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 75 | 45 | 120 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Asian | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Black or African American | 9 | 6 | 15 |
| White | 65 | 39 | 104 |
| More than one race | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Region of Enrollment(participants) | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| United States | 75 | 46 | 121 |
| Stricture Etiology(Participants) | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iatrogenic | 21 | 16 | 37 |
| Idiopathic | 42 | 22 | 64 |
| Inflammatory | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Traumatic | 14 | 7 | 21 |
| Unknown | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Anatomic Stricture Location(Participants) | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulbar Urethra | 71 | 45 | 116 |
| Penile Urethra | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Unknown | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Stricture Length(cm) | Optilume Treatment | Control Treatment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 1.63 ± 0.76 | 1.72 ± 0.73 | 1.67 ± 0.75 |
1 further baseline measures are reported on the registry.
PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Plan to share: No
Ran from Jun 2018 to primary completion in Dec 2020, 29 months.
Results were first posted in Jun 2023, 2 years 5 months after primary completion.
Of 24 interventional studies with no phase under Urethral Stricture, half reached primary completion within 40 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 23 and three quarters within 64. This study's 29 months is below that.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Urotronic Inc.