ClinicalTrials.gg
Active, not recruitingNCT03499964ROBUST-IIIUpdated May 19, 2026Results posted

ROBUST III- Re-Establishing Flow Via Drug Coated Balloon For The Treatment Of Urethral Stricture Disease

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

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
127
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
Male
01

Study summary

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).

Read the detailed description

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.

02

Conditions studied

  • Urethral Stricture

Keywords

  • pivotal trial
  • randomized
  • lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
  • urethral stricture
  • obstruction
03

In context

Urethral Stricture

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 →

Lead sponsor

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.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
Male
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

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.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Male subjects ≥ 18 years' old
  2. Visual confirmation of stricture via cystoscopy or urethrogram
  3. Single, tandem or diffuse anterior urethral stricture(s), less than or equal to 3.0 cm total length measured by retrograde urethrogram. (Stricture length is defined as the distance between the most distal edge of the stricture to the most proximal edge of the stricture).
  4. Two or more prior dilation treatments of the same stricture, including DVIU (Direct Vision Internal Urethrotomy), but no prior urethroplasty.
  5. Significant symptoms of stricture such as frequency of urination, dysuria, urgency, hematuria, slow flow, feeling of incomplete emptying, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI's).
  6. International Prostrate Symptoms Score (IPSS) score of 11 or higher (assumed to be "35" if suprapubic catheter is present)
  7. Lumen diameter ≤ 12F by urethrogram
  8. Qmax \<15 ml/sec (assumed to be "0" if suprapubic catheter is present)
  9. Guidewire must be able to cross the lesion

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Subjects with diffuse stricture length, greater than 3.0 cm in total length. (Stricture length is defined as the distance between the most distal edge of the stricture to the most proximal edge of the stricture).
  2. Subjects with a history of reactions to TAXOL, on medication that may have negative interaction with paclitaxel, with solid tumors who have a baseline of \<1500 cells/mm3 or subjects with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma with baseline neutrophile counts of \<1000 cells/mm3.
  3. Subjects who had an indwelling suprapubic catheter longer than three (3) months total prior to enrollment.
  4. Previous urethroplasty within the anterior urethra
  5. Stricture dilated or incised within the last six (6) weeks (urethral catheterization is not considered dilation)
  6. Presence of local adverse factors, including abnormal prostate making catheterization difficult, urethral false passage or fistula.
  7. Presence of signs of obstructive voiding symptoms not directly attributable to the stricture at the discretion of the physician
  8. Diagnosis of untreated and unresolved BPH or BNC
  9. Untreated stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
  10. History of diagnosed radiation cystitis.
  11. Diagnosis of carcinoma of the urethra, bladder or prostate within the last two (2) years
  12. Active kidney, bladder, urethral or ureteral stone passage in the last six (6) weeks or concern of stone passage in the next 6 weeks at the discretion of the investigator.
  13. Diagnosis of chronic renal failure and treatment with hemodialysis
  14. New diagnosis of OAB (overactive bladder) within the last six (6) months
  15. Use of alpha blockers, beta blockers, OAB (Overactive Bladder) medication, anticonvulsants (drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures), and antispasmodics where the dose is not stable. (Stable dose is defined as having the same medication and dose in the last six months.)
  16. Dependence on Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) in urinary system
  17. Presence of an artificial urinary sphincter, slings, or stent(s) in the urethra or prostate
  18. Known neurogenic bladder, sphincter abnormalities, or poor detrusor muscle function
  19. Diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosus, or stricture due to balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO)
  20. Previous hypospadias repair
  21. History of cancer in non-genitourinary system which is not considered in complete remission (except basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin). A potential participant is considered in complete remission if there has been no evidence of cancer within two (2) years of enrollment
  22. Any cognitive or psychiatric condition that interferes with or precludes direct and accurate communication with the study investigator regarding the study or affect the ability to complete the study quality of life questionnaires
  23. Unwilling to use protected sex for thirty (30) days' post treatment
  24. Unwilling to abstain or use protected sex for ninety (90) days post treatment if sexual partner is of child bearing potential.
  25. Inability to provide Form (ICF) and/or comply with all the required follow-up requirements
  26. Participation in other pre-market studies or treatment with an drug or device. Long term follow up or post market study of an approved device is allowed.
  27. Current active infection in the urinary system
  28. Current uncontrolled diabetes ( > 8.0%) or evidence of poor wound healing due to diabetes
  29. Diagnosed or suspected primary neurologic conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease or other neurological diseases known to affect bladder function, sphincter function or poor detrusor muscle function.
  30. Visible hematuria in subject's urine sample without known contributing factor
  31. Invisible hematuria (or significant microscopic hematuria, i.e. hematuria of ≥ 3 RBC's/HPF) that may be caused by a disease unless it is attributed to the urethral stricture disease or other causes which are benign and not requiring treatment.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(6)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
127 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Optilume Treatment

    The treatment arm will be the Urotronic Optilume Drug Coated Balloon (DCB).

    Device: Optilume Drug Coated Balloon (DCB)

  • Active comparator
    Control Treatment

    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

Interventions

  • DeviceOptilume Drug Coated Balloon (DCB)

    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.

  • DeviceControl Treatment

    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

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. 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

  2. Safety: Rate of Major Device or Procedure Related Complications

    Rate of Major Device or Procedure Related complications

    Time frame: 3 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. 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

  2. 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

07

Results

Posted Jun 6, 2023

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneOptilume TreatmentControl Treatment
Started7948
Completed6821
Not completed1127
Withdrew: Lack of efficacy626
Withdrew: Adverse event10
Withdrew: Death10
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject21
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up10

Outcome measures

PrimaryPercentage 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
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Percentage of Subjects Stricture Free
ParticipantsOptilume TreatmentControl Treatment
Percentage of Subjects Stricture Free5011
Statistical analysis
  • Optilume Treatment vs Control Treatment · Chi-squared, Corrected · p = <0.0001
PrimarySafety: Rate of Major Device or Procedure Related Complications

Rate of Major Device or Procedure Related complications

Time frame:
3 months
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Safety: Rate of Major Device or Procedure Related Complications
ParticipantsOptilume TreatmentControl Treatment
Safety: Rate of Major Device or Procedure Related Complications00
SecondaryChange 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
Reported as:
Mean · mL/Sec
Change in Qmax (Peak Flow Rate)
mL/SecOptilume TreatmentControl Treatment
Change in Qmax (Peak Flow Rate)8.8 ± 9.24.1 ± 7.2
Statistical analysis
  • Optilume Treatment vs Control Treatment · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.003
SecondaryIPSS 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
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
IPSS Percent Responder (50% Improvement in IPSS Score)
ParticipantsOptilume Treatment
IPSS Percent Responder (50% Improvement in IPSS Score)39

Adverse events

Collected over 1 Year. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Optilume Treatment1/79 (1.3%)9/79 (11.4%)51/79 (64.6%)
Control Treatment0/48 (0%)8/48 (16.7%)38/48 (79.2%)
Most frequent serious events
Showing 10 of 15
Most frequent serious events
EventOptilume TreatmentControl Treatment
Urinary RetentionRenal and urinary disorders0/792/48
COVID-19Infections and infestations1/791/48
Urinary Tract InfectionInfections and infestations1/791/48
Intracranial AneurysmNervous system disorders0/791/48
Thalmus HemorrhageNervous system disorders0/791/48
BradycardiaCardiac disorders0/791/48
Anesthetic Complication - PulmonaryInjury, poisoning and procedural complications0/791/48
Urethral CancerRenal and urinary disorders1/790/48
Pulmonary EmbolismRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders1/790/48
Lung AdenocarcinomaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders1/790/48
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventOptilume TreatmentControl Treatment
Urethral StenosisRenal and urinary disorders9/7920/48
Post-Procedure HematuriaInjury, poisoning and procedural complications9/792/48
Urinary Tract InfectionInfections and infestations7/795/48
DysuriaRenal and urinary disorders7/791/48
Urinary RetentionRenal and urinary disorders6/794/48
BacteriuriaInfections and infestations5/792/48
BronchitisRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders0/793/48
HypersensitivityImmune system disorders0/793/48
Bladder SpasmRenal and urinary disorders4/791/48
CoughRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders4/792/48

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(Years)Optilume TreatmentControl TreatmentTotal
Mean58.7 ± 15.560.6 ± 16.059.4 ± 15.7
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Optilume TreatmentControl TreatmentTotal
Female000
Male7948127
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Optilume TreatmentControl TreatmentTotal
Hispanic or Latino336
Not Hispanic or Latino7545120
Unknown or Not Reported101
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Optilume TreatmentControl TreatmentTotal
American Indian or Alaska Native011
Asian325
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander101
Black or African American9615
White6539104
More than one race000
Unknown or Not Reported101
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)Optilume TreatmentControl TreatmentTotal
Canada426
United States7546121
Stricture Etiology
Stricture Etiology(Participants)Optilume TreatmentControl TreatmentTotal
Iatrogenic211637
Idiopathic422264
Inflammatory123
Traumatic14721
Unknown112
Anatomic Stricture Location
Anatomic Stricture Location(Participants)Optilume TreatmentControl TreatmentTotal
Bulbar Urethra7145116
Penile Urethra8210
Unknown011
Stricture Length
Stricture Length(cm)Optilume TreatmentControl TreatmentTotal
Mean1.63 ± 0.761.72 ± 0.731.67 ± 0.75

1 further baseline measures are reported on the registry.

08

Study locations

22 sites
09

References and documents

Publications

  • Elliott SP, Coutinho K, Robertson KJ, D'Anna R, Chevli K, Carrier S, Aube-Peterkin M, Cantrill CH, Ehlert MJ, Te AE, Dann J, DeLong JM, Brandes SB, Hagedorn JC, Levin R, Schlaifer A, DeSouza E, DiMarco D, Erickson BA, Natale R, Husmann DA, Morey A, Olsson C, Virasoro R. One-Year Results for the ROBUST III Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Optilume(R) Drug-Coated Balloon for Anterior Urethral Strictures. J Urol. 2022 Apr;207(4):866-875. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000002346. Epub 2021 Dec 2. PubMed 34854748 ↗

Study documents

PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

10

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

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.

Registered
Apr 9, 2018
First posted
Apr 17, 2018
StartActual
Jun 22, 2018
Primary completionActual
Dec 10, 2020
CompletionEst.
Aug 2026
Results first posted
Jun 6, 2023
Last update
May 19, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 19, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03499964
Lead sponsor
Urotronic Inc.
Collaborators
Laborie Medical Technologies Inc., NAMSA
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Apr 17, 2018
Start date
Jun 22, 2018
Primary completion
Dec 10, 2020
Completion
Aug 2026 (estimated)
Results posted
Jun 6, 2023
Last update
May 19, 2026

Study contacts

Sean Elliott, MD
principal investigator · University of Minnesota
Ramon Virasoro, MD
principal investigator · US Department of Veterans Affairs

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

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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