Targeted radiation approach for prostate cancer without continuous castration
Official title: Phase II Trial of targeted Radiation with no castration for mcrpc (POTENT-C)
Funded at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · NIH-11300187 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study testing a targeted radiation plan for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer to improve outcomes and quality of life by avoiding continuous castration for those receiving PSMA-directed therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002775-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11300187 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who are candidates for PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceuticals and metastasis-directed SBRT.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot receive SBRT or PSMA-targeted therapy, or who have disease patterns not amenable to metastasis-directed radiation.
What this research studies
This project explores combining metastasis-directed SBRT with PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceuticals in men with mCRPC to see if we can reduce or avoid ongoing castration while maintaining cancer control. It emphasizes a patient-centered goal of better quality of life and hormonal function by potentially restoring physiologic testosterone during therapy. The approach uses precision radiation to treat metastatic lesions and integrates systemic targeted radiopharmaceuticals to enhance effectiveness. The study is grounded in real-world concerns about side effects from long-term castration and aims to identify a treatment window that supports vitality and daily living. Participation would involve coordinated imaging, radiation planning, and systemic therapy as part of a multi-modal treatment plan.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience fewer castration-related side effects and improved quality of life while maintaining cancer control.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials suggest combining targeted radiation with systemic therapy can be beneficial, but this specific approach is novel in the context of avoiding continuous castration.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nickols, Nicholas George — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Nickols, Nicholas George
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Dual Targeting of B7-H3 in metastatic prostate cancer
A Johns Hopkins team is testing two targeted therapies against B7-H3 to help people with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer feel better and show tumor responses.
-
Hyperactive methylation in a hard-to-treat prostate cancer subtype
Researchers are studying a newly identified methylation-heavy group of advanced prostate cancer to understand its biology and find clues for better treatments.
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Extending Benefit by Targeting Resistant Lesions in mCRPC
A cancer center plans to identify on-treatment resistant spots in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and then use targeted local therapy to those spots while systemic treatment continues.
-
CXCR1/2 inhibitor plus enzalutamide for abiraterone-resistant metastatic prostate cancer
A phase 2 study tests whether adding SX-682 to enzalutamide helps men with advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to abiraterone.
-
Multidimensional approach to boost PSMA-RPT success in advanced prostate cancer
A cancer research grant aims to better understand why PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy works sometimes but not always for advanced prostate cancer, with the goal of making treatments more effective for patients who need them.
-
Liquid biopsy test to guide HER2-targeted therapy for advanced prostate cancer
A new liquid biopsy test using blood markers to pick and guide HER2-directed therapy for men with advanced, treatment-resistant prostate cancer.
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.