Glycyrrhizin treatment for prostate cancer before surgery

GU-01: Glycyrrhizin in Prostate Cancer: A Window-of-Opportunity Trial

Phase 2 Interventional University of Illinois at Chicago · NCT06378346

This study is testing whether a treatment called Glycyrrhizin can help men with untreated prostate cancer feel better before their surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexMale
SponsorUniversity of Illinois at Chicago Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT06378346 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot, randomized trial investigates the effects of Glycyrrhizin (GLY) on patients with untreated prostate cancer who are candidates for radical prostatectomy. Participants will receive one cycle of therapy with either 75mg or 150mg of Glycyrrhizin daily for six weeks prior to their surgery. The study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of this treatment approach in a window-of-opportunity setting. The trial will include a control group receiving observation to compare outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult males aged 18 and older with a histologic diagnosis of prostate cancer who are eligible for radical prostatectomy.

Not a fit: Patients with prior malignancies or those who have received recent cancer treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could improve surgical outcomes and overall management of prostate cancer.

How similar studies have performed: While Glycyrrhizin has been studied in other contexts, this specific approach in prostate cancer is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 18 years of age at time of consent
2. ECOG performance status of 0, 1, or 2
3. Histologic diagnosis of prostate cancer
4. Patient suitable for radical prostatectomy as determined by surgical team
5. Able to provide written informed consent and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information, via an approved UIC Institutional Review Board (IRB) informed consent form and HIPAA authorization.
6. Willing to use barrier contraceptive method during study intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment has the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of this investigational regimen, as determined by the treating urologic oncology team.
2. Previous chemotherapy, biological therapy, radiation therapy, androgens, thalidomide, immunotherapy, other anticancer agents and/or investigational agents within 30 days of starting study treatment.
3. Potent or moderate inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4 if taken within a 1 week wash-out period
4. Concomitant medications known to prolong QT interval, or with factors that increase the risk of QTc prolongation, or History of Torsades de Pointes. This may include patients who have sub-optimally controlled hypertension, serum potassium levels \<4.0 mEq/L, serum magnesium ≤1.8 mg/dL, prolonged gastrointestinal transit time, or decreased 11-β-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase-2 activity.

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

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 Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.