Adaptive radiation therapy for high-risk prostate cancer

Adaptive Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy to the Prostate and Pelvic Nodes With Simultaneous Integrated Boost to the MR-detected Nodule for Patients With High-risk and Unfavorable Intermediate-risk Prostate Cancer

Not applicable Interventional Washington University School of Medicine · NCT05628363

This study is testing a new type of radiation therapy for men with high-risk prostate cancer to see if it can safely target tumors while causing fewer side effects.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexMale
SponsorWashington University School of Medicine Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Saint Louis, Missouri)
Trial IDNCT05628363 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of whole-pelvis adaptive stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) combined with a tumor boost to MR-detected lesions in patients with high-risk and unfavorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The study will utilize the Ethos Varian treatment system and assess the occurrence of significant genitourinary and gastrointestinal adverse events. The hypothesis is that less than 15% of participants will experience severe acute side effects from this innovative treatment approach.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include men with pathologically confirmed high-risk or unfavorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer who have at least one MR-detectable lesion.

Not a fit: Patients with low-risk prostate cancer or those without detectable lesions on MRI may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a more effective and targeted radiation therapy option for patients with high-risk prostate cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with adaptive radiation therapy approaches, but this specific combination of techniques is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Pathologically proven adenocarcinoma of the prostate with NCCN high-risk disease or NCCN unfavorable intermediate-risk disease.
* Patients with unfavorable intermediate-risk disease must meet the following criteria:

  * At least one intermediate risk factor (IRF):

    * PSA 10-20 ng/mL
    * cT2b-c (AJCC 8th ed.)
    * Gleason score 7
  * At least one "unfavorable" intermediate-risk identifier:

    * \> 1 IRF
    * Gleason score 4+3
    * ≥ 50% of biopsy cores positive
  * NO high-risk features
* Patients with high-risk disease must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  * cT3a-T3b
  * PSA \> 20
  * Gleason score ≥ 8
* MRI scan of the prostate with at least one MR-detectable lesion in the prostate/seminal vesicles. PET/CT which is found to display activity n the prostate consistent with prostate cancer may be substituted per investigator discretion.
* Planning to undergo concurrent whole-pelvis SBRT and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). ADT may be initiated at any time per institutional standard, so long as ADT begins within 60 days of the start of radiotherapy.
* At least 18 years of age.
* ECOG performance status ≤ 1
* Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration
* Able to complete relevant patient-reported quality-of-life questionnaires in the opinion of the treating physician.
* Able to understand and willing to sign an IRB approved written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Definitive radiologic evidence of nodal (cN+) or metastatic (cM1) disease on conventional imaging (bone scan) or prostate cancer-specific PET/CT scan (NaF PET/CT, Axumin PET/CT, fluciclovine, choline, or PSMA PET/CT scan). Patients with lymph nodes ≥ 1 cm on short axis are ineligible unless the lymph node is read as benign by Radiology.
* Prior androgen deprivation therapy. (If the onset of androgen ablation is ≤ 60 days prior to treatment start, the patient is eligible.) Baseline PSA and testosterone must be obtained prior to start of treatment.
* Systemic chemotherapy within 3 years prior to treatment start.
* Prior radical prostatectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, prostate cryotherapy, or high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to the prostate.
* Prior pelvic radiotherapy.
* Presence of baseline CTCAE grade ≥ 2 GI or GU toxicity that does not resolve to grade 1 or less with appropriate intervention.
* cT4 disease.
* American Urologic Association (AUA) urinary symptom score ≥ 20
* Prostate gland measuring \>90 cc.
* Unable to get prostate fiducial markers placed for image guided radiation treatment. Rectal hydrogel is optional and is left to the discretion of the treating physician.
* Hip prosthetic that does not allow for treatment planning visualization.
* Prior malignancy (except for non-melanoma skin cancer) unless disease-free for at least 2 years. Patients are not eligible if they have had a prior pelvic malignancy (e.g. bladder cancer, rectal cancer).
* Prior transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) within 3 months prior to registration.
* Uncontrolled intercurrent illness precluding RT and/or ADT including, but not limited to, seizures, myocardial infarction in the past 6 months, current severe or unstable angina pectoris, congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization in the past 6 months, uncontrolled active infection, uncontrolled hypertension, or any condition that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation in the study.
* History of uncontrolled inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
* Presence of anal fissure or history of bowel or bladder fistula.
* Scleroderma. Patients who are moderately symptomatic from other autoimmune diseases or patients on biologic therapies for autoimmune diseases are also excluded.
* Known history of HIV or chronic hepatitis B or C. Testing to evaluate for the presence of HIV and/or hepatitis B or C is not required in patients who do not carry the diagnosis.
* Poorly visualized bladder and bowel on diagnostic CT or CT simulation (either due to body habitus or artifact).
* Unable to spend 30 minutes lying on the radiation therapy treatment couch due to significant urinary frequency/urgency or other comorbidities.

Where this trial is running

Saint Louis, Missouri

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Prostate CancerCancer of the ProstateProstate cancerstereotactic body radiation therapySBRTwhole pelvis prostate SBRTadaptive radiationtumor-directed boost
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.