Comparing two types of radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatment

Post Operative External Beam Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Randomized Trial Comparing Standard vs. Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy (PORT-HYFX)

Phase 3 Interventional M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT03987386

This study is testing if a new type of radiation therapy for prostate cancer can give better results and cause fewer side effects than the standard treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment186 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexMale
SponsorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations3 sites (Houston, Texas and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT03987386 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase III trial evaluates the effectiveness of hypofractionated radiation therapy versus conventional radiation therapy in treating patients with prostate cancer. The study focuses on assessing gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities, as well as patient outcomes such as local control and biochemical progression-free survival. Participants will complete quality of life assessments using validated surveys throughout the treatment and follow-up period. The goal is to determine if the hypofractionated approach can provide better results with fewer side effects.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include men aged 18 or older with pathologically confirmed prostate cancer who have undergone radical prostatectomy.

Not a fit: Patients with prostate cancer who have not undergone surgery or have advanced metastatic disease may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment options for prostate cancer patients with fewer side effects.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with hypofractionated radiation therapy, suggesting potential benefits over conventional methods.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Men age 18 or older
* Patient has diagnosis of pathologically confirmed prostate cancer, treated with radical prostatectomy. Any type of radical prostatectomy will be permitted, including retropubic, perineal, laparoscopic, or robotically assisted
* Patient has pathologic T2-T3M0 stage. Patients can have 5 or less metastatic pelvic lymph nodes confirmed by pathology
* For patients radiated in the post-operative salvage setting: pathology can demonstrate any of the following features but not required, positive margin, extracapsular extension, or seminal vesicle involvement with detectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of \>= 0.1. PSA \>= 0.1 after radical prostatectomy: most recent PSA value within 12 months of registration and prior to initiating any androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)
* Patient diagnosed with Gleason score of 6-10
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance 0-2
* Patients may receive 6 months and up to 24 months of androgen deprivation therapy. Patients may have received androgen deprivation therapy up to 12 months prior to postoperative radiotherapy
* If the patient has a prior history of any cancer other than prostate cancer, he must have completed treatment within 1 year of study registration and the patient must have no evidence of disease of this prior non-prostate cancer

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior radiation therapy to prostate/seminal vesicle fossa or postoperative region
* Neoadjuvant chemotherapy before or after prostatectomy
* History of lupus, scleroderma, or calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia (CREST) syndrome
* History of severe active co-morbidity or uncontrolled diabetes
* Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the last 6 months
* Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months
* Severe hepatic disease, defined as a diagnosis of Child-Pugh class B or C hepatic disease
* End-stage renal disease (i.e., on dialysis or dialysis has been recommended)

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas and 2 other locations

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 Stage I Prostate Cancer AJCC v8Stage II Prostate Cancer AJCC v8Stage III Prostate Cancer AJCC v8Stage IVA Prostate Cancer AJCC v8
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.