PSMA-PET imaging to guide prostate removal and protect nerves
PSMA-PET to Guide Prostatectomy: Can PSMA-PET Appropriately Modify Surgery, Reduce Nerve Damage and Optimize Quality-of-Life?
This will see if a PSMA-PET scan using the 68Ga-P16-093 tracer can help surgeons choose nerve- and muscle-sparing surgery versus wider removal for men having prostatectomy for prostate cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294367 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a man scheduled for prostate removal, you'll get a PSMA-PET scan with an investigational tracer (68Ga-P16-093) in addition to the usual multiparametric MRI. The trial compares how well PSMA-PET and standard mpMRI detect cancer that has spread beyond the prostate and whether PSMA-PET changes the surgeon's plan. Some participants will have their surgery planned using PSMA-PET results and others will have usual planning, and the study will track surgical decisions and post-surgery urinary and sexual quality-of-life. The aim is to see if adding PSMA-PET helps surgeons avoid unnecessary nerve or muscle damage while still removing the cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer who are scheduled for radical prostatectomy and can attend the study site are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients not undergoing prostatectomy, those with widespread metastatic disease, or those unable to have PSMA-PET or mpMRI are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce nerve damage and improve urinary and sexual quality of life after prostatectomy while maintaining strong cancer control.
How similar studies have performed: PSMA-PET imaging has shown promise for detecting prostate cancer spread, but using this specific tracer to guide surgical planning is new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bahler, Clinton David — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Bahler, Clinton David
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.