Combining relugolix and enzalutamide with radiation therapy for very high risk prostate cancer
Official title: Optimizing Treatment and Advanced Multi-Imaging Response Evaluation for Very-High-Risk Prostate Cancer (OPTIMAL) - a Phase II Single Arm Study
Run by Northwestern University · NCT06499870 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if combining two medications, relugolix and enzalutamide, with radiation therapy can help men with very high risk prostate cancer live longer and feel better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Northwestern University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 6, 2024 |
| Main results expected | November 19, 2030 |
| Study ends | November 19, 2032 |
| Registry record updated | October 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06499870 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adult males aged 18 and older with histologically confirmed very high risk prostate adenocarcinoma.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with low-risk prostate cancer or those who have previously undergone extensive androgen deprivation therapy may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This phase II trial evaluates the effectiveness of combining relugolix, an androgen deprivation therapy, and enzalutamide, an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor, with radiation therapy in treating patients with very high risk prostate cancer. The study aims to determine the efficacy of this combination over a total duration of 18 months, focusing on disease-free survival and testosterone recovery. Patients will receive oral doses of relugolix and enzalutamide before starting image-guided radiation therapy. The trial also includes assessments of patient-reported quality of life and imaging responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients with very high risk prostate cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with similar combinations of androgen deprivation therapy and radiation, suggesting potential for success in this trial.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients must have histologically confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma consistent with NCCN very-high-risk (VHR) prostate cancer defined with at least one of the following: * cT3b-cT4 (American Joint Committee on Cancer \[AJCC\] 9.0) * \> 4 cores with grade group 4 or 5 prostate cancer * Primary gleason pattern 5 * 2 or 3 NCCN high-risk features. * Patients with involved pelvic lymph nodes below the common iliac bifurcation will be allowed as long as the criteria for VHR (very-high risk) are met * Patients must be age ≥ 18 years * Patients must have testosterone \> 50 ng/dL within 90 days prior to registration * Note: Prior androgen deprivation (gonadotrophin releasing hormone \[GnRH\] analog and/or non-steroidal antiandrogen) therapy is allowed provided that it is less than 60 days of prior total duration and that serum testosterone concentration must be ≥ 50 ng/dL prior to enrollment; 5-alpha reductase inhibitors will not impact eligibility, but must be discontinued prior to starting protocol treatment * Patients must exhibit an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2 * Leukocytes (white blood cells \[WBC\]) ≥ 2,500/mcL * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500/mcL * Hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥ 8 g/dL * Platelets (PLT) ≥ 80,000/mcL * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\]) ≤ 3 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase \[SGPT\]) ≤ 3 x institutional ULN * Creatinine ≤ institutional ULN * Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 * Estimated GFR (eGFR) is estimated GFR calculated by the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation * For patients with a known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy must have a viral load undetectable for 3 months prior to registration with a CD4 count of ≥ 200 cells/μL. Note also that HIV testing is not required for eligibility for this protocol as it is self-reported * Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, patients should be better than class III * Patients must not have contraindications to magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and be able to lie flat and still for approximately 30-40 minutes and be able to tolerate PET/CT imaging and radiation therapy treatment planning and delivery * Patients with female partners of reproductive potential must agree to use effective contraception during treatment with and for 3 months after the last dose. Male patients must use a condom during sex with a pregnant woman * Patients must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document and comply with the study requirements Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with definitive clinical or radiologic evidence of metastatic disease * Patients with prior invasive malignancy (except non-melanomatous skin cancer carcinoma in situ of the male breast, penis, oral cavity, or stage Ta of the bladder, or stage I completely resected melanoma) unless disease free for a minimum of 2 years * Prior radiotherapy that would result in overlap of radiation therapy fields * Patients who have a history of any of the following: * History of documented inflammatory bowel disease * Symptomatic congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Functional Classification III/IV) within 4 months prior to registration * Unstable angina pectoris requiring hospitalization within the last 4 months prior to registration * History of seizure disorder or condition that may yield a high risk of seizure (e.g., prior cortical stroke or significant brain trauma) * Psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements * History of repeated falls and fractures over the past 12 months that in the opinion of the treating investigator would put the patient at risk for poor bone outcomes from androgen receptor targeted therapy * Any other illness or condition that the treating investigator feels would interfere with study compliance or would compromise the patient's safety or study endpoints * Patients with the inability to take oral medication OR have malabsorption syndrome or any other uncontrolled gastrointestinal condition (eg, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting) that might impair the bioavailability of enzalutamide and relugolix
Where it's running
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sean Sachdev — Northwestern University
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
PSMA-targeted therapy with hormone suppression for low-volume metastatic prostate cancer
This phase II trial tests leuprolide acetate alone versus with 177Lu-PSMA-617 (with or without abiraterone acetate and prednisone) in men with hormone-sensitive, low-volume metastatic prostate cancer.
-
Lower-dose radiation to parts of the prostate for some men with prostate cancer
This study tests whether a smaller amount of radiation aimed at specific parts of the prostate can reduce side effects compared with giving the full prostate the same dose.
-
Next-generation SABR for prostate cancer across Ireland
This test uses focused high-dose stereotactic radiotherapy (SABR) with urethra-sparing, a rectal spacer, and nerve preservation for men with low-, intermediate-, or selected high-risk prostate cancer to try to control the tumor while reducing side effects.
-
Focal HDR-Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer
This trial tests using targeted high-dose-rate brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer patients and see if it provides local control with fewer side effects.
-
Shorter androgen deprivation in combination with radiation for high-risk prostate cancer
Doctors are testing whether 6 months of hormone therapy with radiation works as well as 18 months, for men with high-risk prostate cancer.
-
PSMA PET/CT plus MRI to find higher‑grade prostate cancer in men on active surveillance
This study tries adding rhPSMA-7.3 (flotufolastat F18) PET/CT to standard mpMRI to see if it finds higher-grade prostate cancer in men on active surveillance.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.